The United States, Germany and other Western allies are united on the conflict in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Berlin yesterday, following a meeting with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.

‘That unity gives us strength, a strength I might add that Russia does not and cannot match,’ Blinken said alongside the German foreign minister.

The US official said it was up to Russia whether it chooses a path of escalation or diplomacy in the conflict. His sentiment was backed up by NATOÂ Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who underlined the unity of the defence alliance in the face of Russian aggression towards Ukraine.

‘All NATO allies have made it clear several times that we will react if Russia once again conducts aggressive actions against Ukraine,’ Stoltenberg said in comments broadcast by CNN.

That unity was needed, argued Blinken, as he accused Russia of seeking to divide Western allies and again warned of harsh consequences in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Namibian Press Agency