"Once again in recent weeks, the Polish foreign minister and US secretary of state spoke about the security situation in Europe and the tensions over Ukraine," the Polish foreign ministry said in a statement late on Monday.
It added that the two top diplomats "exchanged views after last weeks’ talks held with Russia by the U.S. and NATO as well as those in the framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)."
Poland's Rau, "as the current OSCE Chairman-in-Office, emphasised that he is willing to reinvigorate the debate on European security within the Organization and briefed Secretary Blinken on consultations held by Poland with OSCE states in Vienna," the Polish foreign ministry also said in its statement in English.
"Secretary Blinken reiterated the U.S. support for initiatives to seek a diplomatic solution to the current crisis in Europe," it added.
'We should be prepared for different scenarios'
Rau and Blinken agreed that "while remaining open to further talks with Russia, we should be prepared for different scenarios," according to the Polish foreign ministry.
"They also discussed possible response steps should the crisis escalate," its statement said.
'Shared commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity'
Meanwhile, Blinken said in a tweet after the talk that he "emphasized a shared commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."
He added: "The U.S. values Poland’s leadership on NATO’s Eastern Flank and as OSCE Chair this year."
The US State Department said in a statement that during his talk with Rau, Blinken "reiterated the United States’ firm commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked military buildup."
The statement also said that the two "discussed continued cooperation to pursue diplomacy with Moscow while taking steps to deter further Russian aggression."
It added that Blinken "expressed appreciation for Poland’s leadership on NATO’s Eastern Flank and service as OSCE Chair this year," while also emphasizing his country's "commitment to transatlantic security."
(gs)
Source: PAP, gov.pl, state.gov