Blinken says Russia’s aggression “acute threat” to U.S. interests

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia's autocracy and full-scale aggression against Ukraine a direct and acute threat to the national interests of the United States.

He stated this on Wednesday during Senate hearings on the U.S. foreign policy budget for 2024, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports.

“This budget will help us advance that vision, and deliver on the issues that matter most to the American people, by preparing us to meet two major sets of challenges,” Blinken told senators.

The top diplomat noted that the first set of challenges is posed by U.S. strategic competitors. This includes “the immediate, acute threat posed by Russia’s autocracy and aggression, most destructively through its brutal aggression against Ukraine.” Also in this context, Blinken noted “the long-term challenge from the People’s Republic of China.”

The second set of challenges, according to the secretary of state, is posed by “shared global tests,” including the climate crisis, migration, food and energy insecurity, and pandemics, “all of which directly impact the lives and livelihoods of Americans and all peoples around the world.”

As Ukrinform reported earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who are considered potential GOP favorites in the 2024 presidential race, said they did not consider confronting Russia's aggression against Ukraine to be of vital interest to the United States.