Blinken expresses support for Ukraine ahead of Biden-Putin call

The US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone from Washington ahead of US President Joe Biden’s and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming phone conversation.

Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States’ ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression,’ the US Department of State reports. 

Ahead of Biden’s discussion with Putin the two agreed on the need for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict in the Donbas and the full restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty over its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea.