BRUSSELS — Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is in friendly territory: the headquarters of NATO where European leaders, almost to a man and woman, are supportive of U.S.-led efforts to punish Russia and help Ukraine.
But what does a skilled diplomat like Blinken do about the many countries not on board? Does he pressure, promise or punt?
Before he traveled Tuesday to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Blinken spent hours on the telephone with the leaders of strategically important countries whose reluctance to join the campaign has most perturbed the administration. Among this group are strong U.S. allies like India, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.