PRETORIA, South Africa – Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken warned Monday that if countries do not stand up to Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it would give the green light to similar forms of aggression worldwide.
“If we allow a big country to bully a smaller country, just invade it and take its territory, then it will be an open season, not just in Europe but around the world,” he said. at a press conference in Pretoria, after holding talks with South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor.
South Africa was one of dozens of countries that did not immediately condemn President Vladimir V. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February, which disappointed US officials. South Africa then joined 16 other African countries by abstaining in March on a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia, while 28 countries on the continent voted in favor of the resolution.
Ms Pandor told the press conference that Mr Blinken had insisted in their talks that he was not trying to force her country to make a choice to denounce Russia.
“Secretary Blinken has confirmed that America is not asking us to choose,” she said. “I don’t remember any attempt by the United States to do that. But in terms of my interaction with some of our partners in Europe and elsewhere, there was a sense of condescending bullying – you choose this or else.”
“We have been very clear in saying that we are really advocating for peace,” Ms Pandor said.
In a policy speech at the University of Pretoria later on Monday, Mr Blinken said the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic had been “exacerbated by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine”.
He cited World Bank estimates that the invasion of Ukraine could add another 40 million people — most in Africa — to the ranks of the 193 million people worldwide in need of humanitarian food assistance.
Russian officials have told African leaders that US-led sanctions against their country over the war in Ukraine have exacerbated the global food crisis, without mentioning how, until recently, Russian naval control had prevented grain shipments from leaving Ukraine, one of the world’s largest. grain exporters, through the ports on the Black Sea.
Blinken linked the conflict in Ukraine to African anti-imperialist independence movements, which he says have helped forge “a system of rules and principles” that includes “the right of every nation to respect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity – a principle is at stake now in Ukraine.”
Mr Blinken also said on Monday that he had authorized another round of US military aid to Ukraine, the 18th such package since August 2021. The shipments will include “weapons, ammunition and equipment from US Department of Defense inventories.” for the self-defense of Ukraine. ‘ he said in a statement.