From Finland, a country that has recently officially joined NATO, Antony Blinken said on Friday 2 June in a speech that continuing to arm and strengthen Ukraine was the only way to achieve "real peace".

The Secretary of State argued that a strong Ukraine was a "prerequisite" for "a real peace", when a negotiated cessation of hostilities would lead to an illusory "Potemkin peace" with little tomorrow.

"Precisely because we have no illusions about [Vladimir] Putin's aspirations, we believe that the prerequisite for meaningful diplomacy and true peace is a stronger Ukraine, capable of deterring and defending itself in the event of future aggression," the top US diplomat said in Helsinki.

According to Washington, the invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin is a "textbook case of failure [and even a] strategic failure for Russia."

In one manifestation of the negative consequences for Russia of the war in Ukraine, the hitherto militarily non-aligned Nordic country has become a member of NATO, the US-dominated Western military alliance.

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"[Vladimir Putin's] war of aggression has been a strategic failure, significantly diminishing Russia's military, economic and diplomatic power as well as its influence for years to come," Blinken said.

"If you look at President Putin's long-term strategic goals and objectives, there is no doubt: Russia's situation is much worse today than it was before the invasion," he added at Helsinki's mayor's hall filled with American flags.

Washington has become more attentive to the Chinese "threat" since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

To underline his remarks, the head of US diplomacy noted Russian losses on the ground and on European markets.

"The Kremlin has often claimed that it has the second most powerful army in the world, and many have believed it. Today, many consider the Russian army to be the second most powerful in Ukraine," he quipped, prompting laughter in the audience. "Where Putin wanted to project strength, he revealed weakness. Where he wanted to divide, he united," insisted the American.

The purpose of the U.S. official's speech was to display a clear U.S. position at a time when some might be tempted to call for an armistice or ceasefire. A ceasefire on the current positions of the front would only "consolidate" Vladimir Putin's control over eastern Ukraine and allow him to "reattack", argued Antony Blinken.

The US minister also denied that the war in Ukraine was distracting the US from its growing rivalry and confrontation with China.

Washington has become more attentive to the Chinese "threat" since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he said. "Our support for Ukraine has not weakened our ability to respond to a potential threat from China or elsewhere – it has strengthened them."

Antony Blinken's visit marks the major shift in Finland's position in less than five years. From a "bridge" between the West and Russia as at the summit between Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, the Nordic country – which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia – is now NATO's 31st member and a strong voice against Russian aggression among Europeans.

With AFP

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