US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that countries such as India and South Africa, which have not joined the West in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, were likely on a trajectory away from alignment with Moscow, but that The process will not happen “in one fell swoop”. ,
Blinken said, “There are countries that have long-standing, long-standing relationships with Russia, with the Soviet Union, that are challenging to break in one fell swoop. It’s not flipping a light switch, it’s moving an aircraft carrier.” increasing.” In an interview with The Atlantic, marking the one year anniversary of the war.
India has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine. New Delhi has so far resisted that pressure, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its own economic and oil needs.
Russia has been India’s largest arms supplier since the days of the Soviet Union. However, Washington has in recent years tried to wean New Delhi away from its traditional military supplier. India is desperate to modernize its massive Soviet-era fighter jet fleet to boost its air power following concerns over delays in Russian supplies due to the Ukraine war.
Blinken said, “India has been the center of providing military equipment and security to Russia for decades, but what we have seen in the last few years is to trust Russia and move forward in partnership with us and other countries.” There’s a trajectory.” Said.
Blinken also said he understood the reasons for South Africa’s relationship with Russia, while apologizing for Washington’s “sympathetic” approach to the apartheid-era regime in South Africa.