US State Secy Blinken lauds Ukraine’s display of courage during war; 'Russia already lost'

US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Friday lauded Ukraine for its sturdy resistance and impactful counterattack against inving Russian troops. Speaking after Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Global Food Security in Berlin, Blinken took a swipe at Russian President Vlimir Putin, saying his ambitions to topple Kyiv regime and "eliminate Ukraine" have "failed." He furr claimed "Russia has alrey lost" in front of Ukraine's determination to protect its territorial integrity.

"Ukraine is defending itself with extraordinary courage and resilience and Russia has alrey lost. (Russian) President Putin's objective, in his own words, was to eliminate Ukraine as a sovereign independent country. That effort has failed," US State Secretary Antony Blinken said, as quoted by NEXTA.

This comes after Blinken, during a meeting with G7 members ahe of much-awaited summit, on June 24, reaffirmed US' commitment to continuing support for Ukraine. " solidarity is strong. It is real and re is a real commitment to carry it through as long as it is necessary," Blinken said at a press briefing, Associated Press reported. He went on note Europe's "very courageous steps" to wean off Russian oil.

"We are doing everything we can to support transition that Europe is making away from Russian oil in first instance and n ultimately diversifying ir sources of energy going forward," he ded. He also raised concern over precarious global food situation amid ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russian war to cast 40 to 50mn people into hunger: Blinken

Speaking on outcome of ongoing Russian war, Blinken yet again shed light on looming food crisis. Noting Russian blocke of Ukrainian ports as main reason behind food insecurity, Blinken asserted war may push about 40 to 50 billion under severe food shortages mainly in vulnerable nations. His comments were in sync with his British counterpart Elizabeth Truss, who earlier this month, accused Kremlin of "weaponising food."

Meanwhile, UN subsidiary body, World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday, alleviated warning, saying war could have a ripple effort, furr exacerbating food crisis in North African countries, like Ethiopia. However, Kremlin has pinned blame on Ukrainian authorities saying Kyiv is unable to ship out grains due to mines around its own port.

(Image: AP)