Blinken Warns UN of ‘Imminent’ Russian Invasion of Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared before members of the U.N. Security Council this morning to deliver a dramatic speech.

Satellite images have reportedly showed a continued Russian troop escalation near the border with Ukraine after Putin had announced a “partial withdrawal” of troops.

Instead, the U.S. and her allies say that Putin has sent an additional 7,000 troops to the Russo-Ukrainian border since his remarks.

Emphasizing the stakes, Blinken said, “I am here today not to start a war, but to prevent one.”

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Blinken urged Russia to return troops, tanks and planes back to their Russian bases, and to send diplomats instead. 

“The Russian government can announce today, with no qualification, equivocation or deflection that Russia will not invade Ukraine,” he said. “State it clearly, state it plainly to the world and then demonstrate it by sending your troops, your tanks, your planes back to their barracks and hangars, and sending your diplomats to the negotiating table.”

Blinken disputed Russian claims that Moscow is drawing down its roughly 150,000 troops near Ukraine. 

“Russia says it's drawing down those forces,” he said. “We do not see that happening on the ground. Our information indicates clearly that these forces, including ground troops, aircraft, ships, are preparing to launch an attack against Ukraine in the coming days.”

The secretary of state's speech lasted for 10 minutes. To emphasize his concerns, he reiterated that a Russian invasion would affect the entire world.

He continued, “This is a moment of peril for the lives and safety of millions of people as well as for the foundation of the United Nations charter and the rules-based international order that preserves stability worldwide.”

Blinken's warning came after Ukraine accused Russian-backed rebels of shelling a village in the Luhansk region.

Meanwhile, Russian state television reports that Ukrainian shelling and provocations are occurring along the border — none of which has been confirmed. Many analysts worry that Moscow will use this narrative as a pretext for a wider war.

Blinken also stated plainly that the United States believes that Russia will conduct a false flag operation before invading.