Blinken reiterated the value of close coordination on Ukraine LONDON: Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized US commitment to help the UAE bolster its strong defensive capabilities against threats from Yemen and elsewhere in the region during a phone call with his Emirati counterpart on Tuesday. Blinken and the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan also discussed cooperation to advance peace and security at the UN Security Council, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Blinken reiterated the value of close coordination on Ukraine and “the importance of building a strong international response to support Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty following Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and unlawful invasion.”