US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. File photoMOSCOW, February 10US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking in Melbourne, said that Russia is not only challenging Ukraine, but the security of peoples around the world, including Australia. only the peoples of Europe, but all over the world, including Australia,» ABC quoted Blinken's statement ahead of the meeting of foreign ministers in QUAD format. />Blinken said that the US and the EU intend to continue dialogue with RussiaWestern states and Kiev have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» by Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and does not intend to attack anyone, and claims of «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the West's statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone. Regarding relations with China, the Secretary of State said that the United States is only trying to uphold «norms, rules and standards.» «This is not about confronting someone in particular. It's about upholding based on the rules of the order, confidence that we support these rules and principles if they are challenged,» Blinken emphasized. According to him, the United States is also making efforts to «revitalize» global alliances. «And of course, part of what we are doing around the world, as I said, this is a work to restore, revitalize, and, if necessary, redesign these alliances and partnerships,” the US Foreign Minister noted. In the fall, the creation of an alliance between Australia and the United States and Great Britain AUKUS was announced. As a result, Australia withdrew from the submarine contract with France. According to Blinken, the idea of such an alliance was first put forward by Australia and the UK.
