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Our Strength is our Unity: Putin Chose War. We Remain United with Ukraine-US Ambassador writes

Earle Lee Litzenberger, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Azerbaijan

11 March 2022 13:50 (UTC +04:00)

This is a dangerous moment for Europe and for freedom-loving people around the world. By launching his brutal assault on the people of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has also committed an assault on global peace and democracy. But the people of Ukraine are resilient and their bravery is inspiring the world. The United States, together with our Allies and partners across the globe, will continue to support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country.

United in Our Response

As Ambassador to Azerbaijan, I see how clearly this invasion has resonated with the Azerbaijani people. Thousands of Azerbaijani citizens work and study in Ukraine, and so many people here have friends and family there. This year, like Azerbaijan, Ukraine is marking 30 years of relations with the United States and 30 years of independence from the Soviet Union. Today, Ukraine’s independence is under threat. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in Ukraine, including tragic cases of innocent Azerbaijani citizens – women and children, young adults, and even a newborn baby. I am heartened by how the Azerbaijani government and people have sent humanitarian aid to help in Ukraine.

Together, the United States and our Allies and partners are taking action to stand with Ukraine and hold Russia accountable. President Biden announced sweeping financial sanctions and stringent export controls that will damage Russia’s economy, financial system, and access to technology.

At the same time, President Biden authorized an additional $350 million of security assistance to immediately help Ukraine defend itself, bringing America’s total security assistance to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion. And to support the Ukrainian people at this critical time, we recently announced $54 million, on top of more than $300 million, in humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, the United States has also coordinated with major oil-producing and -consuming countries to underscore our common interest in securing global energy supplies. We are working with energy companies to surge their capacity to supply energy to the market, particularly as prices increase. We appreciate Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote market stability in this area.

Putin’s Unprovoked and Premeditated War

This was an attack that Vladimir Putin has planned for a long time. He moved more than 150,000 troops and military equipment to Ukraine’s border, moved blood supplies into position and built field hospitals to prepare. He rejected every good-faith effort by the United States and our Allies and partners to avoid needless conflict and engage in diplomacy and dialogue.

Putin executed his playbook exactly as we had warned he would do. We saw Russia’s proxies increase their shelling in the Donbas. We saw the Russian government launch cyber-operations against Ukraine. We saw staged political theater in Moscow and heard outlandish and baseless claims made about Ukraine in an attempt to justify Russia’s aggression. Russia continues to justify its military aggression by falsely claiming the need to stop “genocide” in Ukraine – despite there being no evidence. Russia is now resorting to indiscriminate attacks on civilians, hospitals, and schools. We saw Russia use these tactics before when they invaded Ukraine in 2014 and Georgia in 2008.

We declassified our intelligence about Russia’s plans so there could be no confusion and no cover-up. Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now his people will bear the consequences of his decision to invest in war rather than in them. Putin has failed to divide us. And Putin will fail to erase the proud nation of Ukraine.

The next few days, weeks, and months will be incredibly difficult for the people of Ukraine. Putin has unleashed great suffering on them. But the Ukrainian people have known 30 years of independence, and they have repeatedly shown they will not tolerate anyone who tries to take their country backward. We will continue to stand together with Ukraine, and against the aggression that threatens global peace.

Putin’s aggression against Ukraine will cost Russia profoundly, both economically and strategically. The Russian people deserve better from their government than the immense cost to their future that this invasion has precipitated.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Azerbaijan, Earle Lee Litzenberger

Note: APA recognizes the right of the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan to respond