Blinken Speaks In Kyiv As Russia Tensions Remain At Fever Pitch

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has finished speaking alongside his Ukrainian counterpary Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv. Christopher Miller at Buzzfeed summarises his comments:

• "Blinken on security aid: We've given more assistance this past year than any year since 2014. If Russia should invade Ukraine we'll provide additional material to that already in the pipeline."
• "Kuleba wishes he could discuss with situation with Russian FM Lavrov directly, but that Lavrov is "avoiding" him. He says Blinken's meeting with Lavrov in Geneva on Friday is very important."
• "Blinken: I can't read Putin's mind... we have to base what we do on history. Unfortunately, Russia has invaded its neighbors. Now it's massing very significant forces on Ukraine's border. We have to base our decisions on facts, on what we see."
• "Blinken says, based on that, and in close consultation with Ukriane and our allies in Europe, we've passed on to Russia a diplomatic path to de-escalate the situation. Alternatively, if Russia decides to attack Ukraine, the other path is severe economic consequences."
• "Blinken says US is going to pursue diplomacy as long as it can. If that comes to an end it's because of Russia. Blinken says it's not clear what Russia's main demand is. They put a number of things on the table. Many of them non-starters. There are some things that we can talk about on a reciprocal basis. Hope to have a better idea of what they want on Friday."