READOUT

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz, representing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office, OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, and European External Action Service (EEAS) Secretary General Stefano Sannino. Participants expressed their steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Deputy Secretary underscored that Russia’s flagrant disregard for international law demands a severe response from the international community and briefed the group on U.S. sanctions, coordinated with our Allies and partners, in response to Russia’s decision to recognize the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent.” Participants expressed their shared readiness to respond in a forceful and coordinated manner to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. Participants also highlighted their shared commitment to transatlantic unity and reaffirmed that while all remain committed to diplomacy, progress can only be made in an environment of de-escalation.