US, France discuss Russia-Ukraine crisis & joint efforts to boost NATO’s eastern flank

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss  ongoing efforts by NATO allies, European Union (EU) partners among ors over ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions. US State Department said in an official statement on Sunday that Blinken and Le Drian spoke about “Russia’s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, and importance of continuing to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“y discussed joint efforts to strengn NATO’s Eastern Flank and to ensure Russia understands high costs it would incur if it were to inve Ukraine furr.  Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Le Drian also reviewed ongoing developments in Sahel region of Africa,” it ded.

US Secretary of State and French Foreign Minister’s call came as US President Joe Biden spoke with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and discussed response to Russia as Moscow continues to ramp up its military presence near border with Ukraine. White House said in a statement that Biden and Macron “discussed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, and affirmed ir support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Both US and French leers agreed to stay in touch and continue consultations with ir allies and partners including Ukraine. 

It is to note that Macron and Biden spoke on Wednesday following US Department of Defence’s announcement of deployment of American troops to Poland, Germany and Romania in next few days. On Sunday, ditional US troops arrived in Poland, as stated by Polish defence ministry. 

More US troops reach Poland amid Russia-Ukraine tensions

Meanwhile, a plane carrying American soldiers landed in sourn Poland on Sunday on US President Joe Biden’s order to deploy ditional US troops to Poland, Romania, Germany this week as tensions continue to rise between Russia and Ukraine. Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak said in a tweet that more American soldiers from 82nd Airborne Division landed in Rzeszów. Polish Defence Ministry h said on February 2 that around 1,700 US soldiers sent to Poland would operate in country's eastern-sourn part. On Friday and Saturday, a handful of soldiers arrived in European nation on or planes. 

(Image: AP)