Secretary Antony J. Blinken on Russia’s Threat to Peace and Security at the UN Security Council (transcript and video)

US State Dept. ^ | 2/17/22

[BusterDog]

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Mr. President, this council was convened today to discuss the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, a goal that we all share, despite Russia’s persistent violations. These agreements, which were negotiated in 2014 and 2015 and signed by Russia, remain the basis for the peace process to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

[BusterDog]

First, Russia plans to manufacture a pretext for its attack. This could be a violent event that Russia will blame on Ukraine, or an outrageous accusation that Russia will level against the Ukrainian Government. We don’t know exactly the form it will take. It could be a fabricated so-called “terrorist” bombing inside Russia, the invented discovery of a mass grave, a staged drone strike against civilians, or a fake – even a real – attack using chemical weapons. Russia may describe this event as ethnic cleansing or a genocide, making a mockery of a concept that we in this chamber do not take lightly, nor do I do take lightly based on my family history.

[BusterDog]

What's this mean?

And conventional attacks are not all that Russia plans to inflict upon the people of Ukraine. We have information that indicates Russia will target specific groups of Ukrainians.

[chuckee]

As always, Europe, especially Germany, refuses to take the tough guy lead in confronting their gas station so as not to upset their primary fossil fuel supplier while they cling to the fantasy of 100 per cent renewables future and have elected the US to take the lead when it gets to tougher sanctions. Once this kabuki theatre is over, and the globe has forgotten Russia’s Ukraine transgression within a few months, look for Europe to break sanctions and the US to look the other way so they are not freezing next winter, I think Putin has factored this in his calculations.
Time for us to stop babysitting Western Europe when it comes to what is largely a regional conflict not affecting US national security interests. Do not assume their national political interests are aligned with ours. Let them sort it out.

[Starboard]

We don’t know exactly the form it will take.

************

But a lack of facts won't stop us from making wild speculations.

[elpadre]

The Ukrainians are signers of the Minsk Agreement and haven’t done their part either. From what I read of the Normandy Four meeting last Thursday, Ukraine will not abide by them.

[rrrod]

Dangerous times.

[Starboard]

An excellent post.

[TornadoAlley3]

He’s telling the CIA exactly what to do to get the party started.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

This squish couldn’t scare a dog turd!

[OpusatFR]

So, did they find yellow cake yet?

[BusterDog]

#Ukraine preparing to evacuate civillians from front line areas like #Aleksandrovka, #Staromikhaylovka and #Signalnoye at #Donetsk front as situation escalating .
Two ways shelling underway at the moment at multiple location .— Zeitung (@Himat75) February 17, 2022

[Regulator]

"Russia may describe this event as ethnic cleansing or a genocide, making a mockery of a concept that we in this chamber do not take lightly, nor do I do take lightly based on my family history"

Isn't it great that we get to be Big Brudder to a bunch of angry Bolsheviks still upset that their Orthodox buddies turned on them after Lenin croaked?

In what way is "Blinken" an American if his world is still about the Pale of Settlement?

[bert]

The Biden effort is an attempt to appear to actually be doing something.

Nothing is really happening

[BusterDog]

Shelling now ongoing at areas south of #Donetsk . Separatists keep changed the areas of shelling . Over 50 ceasefire volition reported . Their aim seem to be increasing panic in #Ukraine . They seems to be forcing #Ukrainian to target #Donbass . #Russia need pretext for invasion— Zeitung (@Himat75) February 17, 2022

[Chode]

ummm isn’t that libel?

[dfwgator]

So, did they find yellow cake yet?

[Trumpisourlastchance]

But for Russia winning the war against the Nazis, all Jews would be dead.

[Enterprise]

OH FFS. Our beloved State Department undercut foreign policy to Russia for decades, especially when a Republican President was in power. Our beloved State Department just loved “Uncle Joe” Stalin, and passionately adored Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev. Bunch of millennial weeping twats running the State Department now.

[rbmillerjr]

” the Normandy Four meeting last Thursday, Ukraine will not abide by them (Minsk).”

That’s because all foreign troops have to leave Ukraine. As in the Russians in eastern Ukraine. Russians don’t leave, the agreement is meaningless paper.