A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that Secretary Antony Blinken informed a European official of the critical importance of supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, and that any new Russian aggression "would lead to a severe response." A senior U.S. official mentioned on Saturday that the United States and its allies are prepared to discuss with Russia the possibility of imposing restrictions on military maneuvers and missile deployments in the region during talks concerning Ukraine. These discussions are scheduled to begin in Geneva tomorrow, according to Reuters. However, the official noted that Washington is not ready to discuss restrictions on the deployment of U.S. forces or the stationing of these forces in NATO countries in the region.
President Joe Biden warned that Russia would face severe economic consequences if Russian President Vladimir Putin proceeds to invade Ukraine. U.S. officials provided further details on Saturday regarding the stringent sanctions that could be imposed. A source familiar with the plan indicated that one of these restrictions could target significant Russian industrial sectors, including defense and civil aviation, which would have a lasting impact on Russia's ambitions in areas such as advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
The Geneva talks, which will be followed by additional rounds next week in Brussels and Vienna, aim to prevent a crisis. Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops along its border with Ukraine, raising concerns about a potential invasion. It remains unclear whether the United States and its European allies can make progress in discussions with Moscow. Putin seeks security guarantees and a halt to NATO's eastward expansion—demands that Washington describes as unacceptable—while Moscow claims it feels threatened by the possibility of the U.S. deploying offensive missile systems in Ukraine, although Biden has assured Putin that there are no plans to do so. The source added that the U.S. is exploring with allies and partners in Europe and Asia the imposition of trade restrictions on Russia.
