Blinken Says Russia Looks ‘On Brink’ Of Ukraine Invasion, Says Biden Ready To Meet ‘At Any Time’

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on February 20 that current developments look like Russia is “on the brink” of invading Ukraine and an extension of joint Russia-Belarus military exercises nearby increases concerns.

He also said that U.S. President Joe Biden was prepared until the last minute to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “at any time in any format.”

In an allusion to Biden’s warning two days ago that Putin had already decided to invade Ukraine, Blinken said Washington will do everything it can to deter Putin and persuade him to reverse his decision.

Speaking to CNN, Blinken said the United States and its allies have prepared a “massive package” of sanctions against Russia if it invades.

Western officials have warned that there are upward of 150,000 Russian troops massed near the Ukrainian border, with about 30,000 in Belarus and thousands more Russia-aligned separatists in Ukraine.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin announced that Russia and Belarus were extending their joint military exercises due to end on February 20 “in connection with the increase in military activity near the external borders” of Russia and Belarus and because of rising tension in eastern Ukraine.

Blinken said imposing sanctions against Russia now — as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged this weekend — would reduce their effectiveness.

As soon as sanctions are triggered, Blinken told CNN, their deterrent impact is gone.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned earlier that the United States and Britain would seek to cut off Russian companies’ access to U.S. dollars and British pounds if Russia attacks Ukraine.

Blinken said he still planned to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov next week in Europe, unless Russia invades before then.