Appeal from Assistant Secretary Sherman – U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Poland

READING OUT LOUD

SPOKESPERSON’S OFFICE

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

The following is attributable to spokesperson Ned Price:

Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with NATO Assistant Secretary General Mircea Geoana, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz representing the NATO Chairman-in-Office for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, and External Europe Service Action (EEAS) Secretary General Stefano Sannino. The participants expressed their unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The Deputy Secretary stressed that Russia’s blatant disregard for international law demands a harsh response from the international community and informed the group of US sanctions, coordinated with our allies and partners, in response to the decision of the Russia to recognize the so-called “People’s Republic of Donetsk and Lugansk”. republics” as “independent”. The participants expressed their common will to respond in a vigorous and coordinated manner to any new Russian aggression against Ukraine. Participants also underscored their shared commitment to transatlantic unity and reaffirmed that while all remain committed to diplomacy, progress can only be achieved in an environment of de-escalation.