https://ift.tt/5KlJeR6. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Germany, Turkey and Greece February 16-22 ahead of the February 24 anniversary of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, and as Turkey continues its rescue operations after powerful quakes brought devastation to the NATO country last week.
Blinken is attending the Munich Security Conference that begins this Friday. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi will be among those at the three-day annual gathering.
In Munich, Blinken will participate in a series of meetings to discuss continued support for Ukraine, and assistance to Turkey and the Syrian people after the powerful earthquakes, said the State Department.
As Ukraine prepares for a new major offensive from Russia, Western leaders at the gathering are likely to renew their commitment to support Kyiv.
A senior State Department official said the United States is working on a large security assistance package that will be announced around the one-year mark of Russia’s invasion. Another new sanctions package targeting Russia and its proxies can also be expected.
The senior State Department official told reporters there is no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about diplomatic talks, but the U.S. will continue to put pressure on Russia’s economy to force Putin to the negotiation table.
Blinken’s trip to Turkey comes as rescuers race to reach people trapped under rubble more than a week after a 7.8 magnitude quake caused severe damage both in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. The quake has killed more than 41,000 people.
“Secretary Blinken will visit Incirlik Air Base in Türkiye on February 19 to see firsthand U.S. efforts to assist the Turkish authorities responding to the devastation caused by the February 6 earthquakes,” said the State Department on Wednesday.