Foreign Secretary USA, Anthony Blinkensaid today that Vladimir Putin focused his “fury and fire” on the civilian population Ukrainian but he warned that Russia’s recent strategy of attacking the political infrastructure would not divide Ukraine’s supporters.

“Heating, water, electricity… these are Putin’s new goals. It hits them hard. This cruel treatment of the people of Ukraine is barbaric,” Blinken said at a press conference in Bucharest after a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

Blinken accused Putin of trying to split the Western coalition and force it out of Ukraine, freezing and starving Ukrainians and raising energy prices not only in Europe but throughout the world.

“This strategy has not worked and will not work. We will continue to prove him wrong. This is what I heard loud and clear from all countries here in Bucharest,” he added.

The American minister stressed that the most important message of this NATO meeting was that the West will support Ukraine in the coming difficult winter and for as long as necessary.

Western concerns about Sino-Russian cooperation

NATO allies are concerned about China’s rapid and non-transparent military development and its cooperation with Russia, Blinken said, and have discussed specific ways to counter the challenges posed by Beijing.

“The members of our alliance are concerned about China’s coercive policy, its use of disinformation, its rapid and non-transparent military buildup, including its cooperation with Russia,” he said. “But at the same time, we remain committed to continuing constructive dialogue with China where we can and welcome opportunities to work together to address common challenges,” he added.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}