US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicted Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine, echoing commentary by President Joe Biden who had labelled his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a “ war felonious “.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Blinken said Department of State experts are in the process of establishing and assessing implicit war crimes in Ukraine to help transnational sweats towards responsibility, but he said it’s apparent that Russia is committing abuses in the conflict.
“ History, President Biden said that – in his opinion – war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. Tête-à-tête, I agree,” Blinken told journalists.
“ Designedly targeting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the once three weeks, I find it delicate to conclude that the Russians are doing else.”
Biden had infuriated the Kremlin on Wednesday when he called Putin a “ war miscreant” – a comment that Moscow rebuked as “ inferior and insupportable rhetoric”. On Thursday, the US chairman also described his Russian counterpart as a “ murderous oppressor” and a “ pure gangster”.
Meanwhile, at the Department of State, Blinken pledged to insure responsibility for abuses in Ukraine.
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“ When I tell you that there will be responsibility and consequences for any war crimes that have been committed, I hope you ’ll take my word,” the top US diplomat told journalists. “ But conduct always speak louder than words.”
Russia launched an each-out irruption of Ukraine on February 24 after a months-long standoff that saw Moscow amass colors near the Ukrainian borders as it demanded an end to NATO expansion into former Soviet democracy.
The war has forced further than3.1 million people to flee Ukraine, according to the United Nations, and devastated areas across the country. Major metropolises, including the capital Kyiv, have faced Russian hail and siege.
On Thursday, Ukrainian officers said a Russian attack killed 21 people in the city of Merefa outside the megacity of Kharkiv in the east of the country. A day before, Ukraine indicted Russian forces of bombing a theatre sheltering civilians in the besieged southern megacity of Mariupol.
Three weeks into the irruption, US officers have said Russia continues to face military and logistic lapses in its crusade amid fierce Ukrainian resistance.
Blinken said on Thursday that Russia may carry a chemical attack to escalate the war, noting that Washington directly prognosticated the irruption weeks before it started.
“ We believe that Moscow may be setting the stage to use a chemical armament, and also falsely condemn Ukraine to justify raising its attacks on the Ukrainian people,” Blinken told journalists.
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The top US diplomat also said Washington believes that Moscow will bring in mercenaries from foreign countries to fight in the conflict. He added that Russia will “ totally” kidnap original Ukrainian officers to replace them “ with dollies”.
The US and its abettors were quick to put broad warrants on the Russian frugality, as well as fiscal penalties on Putin and elites in his inner circle after the irruption.
Washington has also stepped up military and philanthropic support to Kyiv. After subscribing a US budget containing$13.6 bn in backing to Ukraine, Biden blazoned$ 800m in fresh military aid to the country this week.
On Thursday, Blinken called on “ all nations” to use any influence they may have with Russia to get it to end the war, singling out China in his reflections.
“ We believe China, in particular, has a responsibility to use its influence with President Putin and to defend the transnational rules and principles that it professes to support,” Blinken said.
During the once week, US officers have hovered China with “ consequences” if it comes to Russia’s aid in Ukraine amid media reports that Moscow requested military backing from Beijing.
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Blinken, in advance of a call between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, reiterated those warnings, saying that Washington is “ concerned” that Beijing may be considering helping Moscow’s war sweats.
“ President Biden will be speaking to President Xi hereafter and will make clear that China will bear responsibility for any conduct it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we won’t vacillate to put costs,” he told journalists.
In public statements, China has backed politic sweats to end the war, but it has not condemned the irruption. It also abstained from votes at the UN Security Council and General Assembly calling for the pullout of Russian colors from Ukraine.
While backing politic sweats to secure a ceasefire, Blinken said on Thursday that Moscow doesn’t appear to be serious about ending the war.
“ Tactfulness requires both sides engaging in good faith to lessen, and I do n’t see signs right now that Putin is prepared to stop,” Blinken said.
Blinken also verified that an American citizen has been killed in Ukraine without offering farther details.
The US Department of State has constantly advised Americans against going to Ukraine – including to bestow in the fight against Russian forces – while also prompting US citizens formerly in the country to leave incontinently.
