REPLAY: Blinken in Finland says strong Ukraine a prerequisite for 'real peace'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday it was critical to strengthen Ukraine before any peace deal with Russian President Vladmir Putin, as calls grow for negotiations. "Precisely because we have no illusions about Putin's aspirations, we believe the prerequisite for meaningful diplomacy and real peace is a stronger Ukraine -- capable of deterring and defending against any future aggression," Blinken said in a speech in Helsinki.