UPDATE - US says allies to swiftly respond to any Russian military move into Ukraine

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY US SECRETARY OF STATE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

BERLIN (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Moscow on Thursday that any military aggression against Ukraine will have severe costs for Russia.

Blinken said the US and its allies want a diplomatic solution but they are also ready to respond to any military aggression.

“If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border and commit new acts of aggression against Ukraine, that will be met with a swift, severe, united response from the United States and our allies and partners,” he told a news conference in Berlin.

Blinken met his German, French, and British counterparts in Berlin to discuss the latest developments and establish a united approach towards Russia amid growing fears that a Russian attack against Ukraine could be imminent.

Following the meeting, Blinken said the US and its allies are sharing the same goals, and continuing their diplomatic efforts to prevent a further Russian invasion or destabilization of Ukraine.

“In my meeting tomorrow (Friday) with (Russian) Foreign Minister (Sergey) Lavrov, I'll be able to represent a shared view, a shared preference on the part of the United States and our European allies and partners for finding a diplomatic path forward to de-escalate this conflict,” he added.

Blinken reiterated that the US and its allies are ready to discuss Russia’s security concerns, and Friday's meeting in Geneva will make it clear whether Kremlin wants the path of dialogue or conflict.

“Ultimately, that's up to (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin. He has to decide which course to take. We've made very clear which course we prefer. We've also made it very clear what we're prepared to do if he takes the other path,” he noted.