US Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that his country is working with the European Union to hold Russia accountable and is supporting efforts to reach a lasting peace in Ukraine.

In a joint press conference with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Blinken stressed that Washington and Brussels are working hand in hand to ensure that Ukraine defends itself.

He added that there is a focus on ways to reduce European dependence on Russian energy and ways to promote clean energy production in the Euro-Atlantic region.

For his part, Borrell said that the European Union is cooperating with the United States to support the energy sector on the continent, after having stopped dependence on Russian gas.

He pointed out that Europe is committed to supporting Ukraine in defending itself, explaining that they will continue to pressure Russia to stop its violation of international law.

Borrell said that China has a moral duty to contribute to peace in Ukraine and should refrain from supporting the aggressor in a war that Russia started in Ukraine. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency