11:56 03.03.2022

Blinken to visit Belgium, Poland, Moldova and Baltic countries to discuss situation around Ukraine – State Department

2 min read

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Belgium, Poland, Moldova, Latvia and Lithuania from March 3 to March 8, during the trip he plans to hold consultations with European partners on Russia's aggression in Ukraine, the U.S. Department of State reports.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Belgium, Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia from March 3 to 8, 2022. The trip continues extensive consultations and coordination with our NATO Allies and European partners about the Russian Federation's continued premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war against Ukraine," according to a press release published on the website of the State Department.

On Wednesday, speaking at the State Department, Blinken said that "de-escalation, the withdrawal of troops [from Ukraine] will open the way to diplomacy" with Russia.

As reported, Secretary Blinken will begin his trip in Brussels, Belgium where he will participate in a NATO Foreign Ministerial, meet with EU counterparts, participate in a G7 Ministerial Meeting, and hold additional meetings with partners to discuss the global response to Russia's invasion.

Then, the Secretary will then travel to Poland on March 5, where he will meet with Polish leaders, including Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, to discuss further security assistance in the face of Russia's continued aggression and unprovoked attack on Ukraine. He will also thank Poland for generously welcoming hundreds of thousands of displaced persons from Ukraine.

The Secretary will then travel to Chisinau, Moldova to meet with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu. During his stop, the Secretary will discuss support for Moldova's efforts to receive and assist refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Secretary will then travel to Vilnius, Lithuania on March 6 to meet with President Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. On March 7, the Secretary will travel to Riga, Latvia, to meet with President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, and Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics.

He will travel to Tallinn, Estonia, on March 8 to meet with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets.

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