Blinken warns against peace efforts that would reward Russian aggression

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives to give a speech at the Helsinki City Hall, in Helsinki, Finland June 2, 2023. Lehtikuva/via REUTERS

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday warned against any peace initiatives that could help legitimize Russia's seizure of Ukrainian territory, saying a "just and durable" peace effort should address accountability and reconstruction.

Delivering what U.S. officials described as a highlight speech that lays out Washington's view of 16 months of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Blinken said over the coming weeks and months some countries were likely to call for a ceasefire.