Antony Blinken, the French-speaking American lawyer, the Europhile top diplomat, made his last visit to the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday in a painful trip before Donald Trump took office in the United States.
The US secretary of state can look back on time spent strengthening Washington's transatlantic bond as Russia launched the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II with its invasion of Ukraine.
But even as Blinken received a warm welcome from his NATO allies, Trump's vision and potential isolationist policies after his inauguration next month hung over the two-day meeting.
“He was a loyal friend and people liked him very much,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Blinken.
“We wish you the best after January, but we need you until the 20th of January, every day, and we know we can count on you.”
Blinken stressed that the administration of President Joe Biden will continue to seek to move weapons to Ukraine during the short time left in power.
“This is an important time for the coalition to make sure we set it up for next year,” said Blinken.
“Whether you like it or not, you've got me and you've got us until January 20th, every minute, every day.”
And in a potential shot across Trump's bows he insisted that being in NATO is “the best guarantee against war” because of the alliance's promise to protect each member.
That came after the conservative Republican warned on the campaign trail that he would let the Russians “do whatever they want” and NATO allies not spending enough on defense.
The end of the Biden administration comes at a perilous time for Ukraine as its forces face Russia's offensive.
Blinken – like his boss — has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv and on the eve of his NATO visit unveiled a new $725-million military aid package.
Since the election of Donald Trump, the Biden administration has been upping the ante and pulling out all the stops to try to put Kyiv in a position of power on the day it decides to enter into negotiations with Russia.
Trump has cast doubt on maintaining US support and vowed to cut an immediate deal to end the war.
The Biden administration quickly softened by authorizing Ukraine to use American missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, and decided to provide anti-personnel mines.
– Leaning forward –
During many negotiations between the managers, Blinken was one of the most dependent on taking off the gloves in Ukraine.
That ranged from subjects such as giving permission to fire missiles at Russia, to allowing the delivery of tanks and F-16 jets, issues on which the Pentagon was often silent.
But as Trump prepares for office, Blinken and the disabled duck managers he represents have more leverage.
Ukraine had hoped it could convince the United States to finally reverse its push for an invitation to join NATO – something Biden has long opposed.
Fearing that Trump would immediately withdraw any offer made now, Washington backed away from making any moves.
Trump said he could end the war in one day but did not provide details on his plans.
He named retired General Keith Kellogg as his proxy in the conflict and Senator Mark Rubio as his choice to succeed Blinken.
Kellogg suggested that the West could shut down Ukraine's NATO ambitions as a sop to the Kremlin in any peace plan.
Many of their “America First” ideas run counter to the core tenets of Blinken's worldview — which is built around reaching out to allies, cooperating and building consensus.
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