We did everything we could to reduce tensions with Russia before the war in Ukraine - using different platforms, direct dialogue. But diplomatic efforts failed to change Putin's mind.

The EPA reports that U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said this during a speech on the Ukrainian war in front of Finnish political experts in Helsinki.

"Shortly before the war, we warned of a possible Russian attack at the UN and said Russia would attack Ukraine, try to overthrow the government here," he said. At the same time, it will attempt to wipe Ukraine off the map as an independent country. We said Russia would bomb Kiev, make excuses. We hoped we would be wrong, but unfortunately what we said came out right," Blinken said.