Blinken says has 'no doubts' Germany is resolute on UkraineUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to tamp down concerns about Germany's commitment to opposing Russian aggression against Ukraine, expressing confidence that the Germans were aligned with NATO and Washington. WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday he has "no doubts" Germany is maintaining a united front with NATO on the Ukraine crisis, after Berlin faced pressure to toughen its stance against potential Russian aggression. The top US diplomat also dismissed the idea of slapping punitive sanctions on Russia now, before any potential invasion of the former Soviet republic Ukraine, saying sanctions should be used as a means of "dissuading" Moscow from an attack. Germany was in the hot seat at the weekend after its navy chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach said Russian President Vladimir Putin deserves respect and also suggested it was "nonsense" to think Russia was ready to pour troops into Ukraine. That includes beefing up defenses in Ukraine with more military assistance, Blinken said.

Source: Bangkok Post January 23, 2022 22:15 UTC