“This is a critical time for Ukraine,” Blinken explained to a crowd of roughly 60 people, speaking alongside Charge d’Affaires Kristina Kvien.
Blinken arrived in Ukraine’s capital on Wednesday for the first of three stops this week amid concerns that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.
He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, reaffirming Washington’s support for the country and telling Zelensky that it is “up to Ukrainians and no one else.”
Blinken warned Russia there were two paths out of this situation.
“There is the path of diplomacy and dialogue to try to resolve whatever differences there are peacefully through diplomacy,” he said in his remarks to staff at the embassy. “Clearly the preferable path, clearly the most responsible path and the one that we would prefer, but there is also the path if Russia chooses to renew aggression, of conflict, confrontation and consequences for Russia.”
Blinken said President Joe Biden had asked his team to “take stock” of the situation after intense negotiations with allies but also conversations with Russia, and to “reaffirm” the US’ commitment to Ukraine.
“I strongly, strongly hope that we can keep this on a diplomatic and peaceful path, but ultimately, that’s going to be President Putin’s decision,” he concluded.
The Kremlin has continued to deny it is planning an attack, while demanding that the US and its Western partners rule out further NATO eastward expansion, guarantee that Ukraine would never join the block, and prevent NATO from establishing military bases in post-Soviet countries.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler and Uliana Pavlova contributed to this report.
