WASHINGTON — Friday’s President Joe Biden stated that the United States believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a decision to attack Ukraine in the “coming days”.
“We have reason to believe the Russian forces are planning and intend to attack Ukraine in the coming week, in the coming days,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “We believe they’ll target Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, which is home to 2.8 million innocent citizens.”
This astonishing revelation is made as an incredible number of Russian forces advance upon Ukraine’s eastern and northern flanks.
Russia’s increased military presence mirrors Russia’s plan before its 2014 illegal annexation Crimea, a peninsula in the Black Sea. This incident sparked international anger and led to sanctions against Moscow.
Despite Russia having sent nearly half its military force to Ukraine’s borders, the Biden administration has not been able to predict Putin’s strategy. Biden responded that Putin had plenty of time to choose a path towards diplomacy.
Biden reiterated U.S. resolve to defend NATO allies in the event that the Ukraine crisis and Russia border crisis becomes a war.
Biden stated that the United States and its allies were ready to defend NATO territory from any threat, invoking Article 5 of the alliance.
The principle of collective defense is a cornerstone of the alliance of 30 members. Article 5The following statement is made: An attack on one NATO country constitutes an attack against all allies
The Kremlin denies that 150,000 Russian troops stationed near Ukraine’s borders, equipped with modern military equipment, are preparing for an invasion.
Biden warned that Washington’s allies are ready to impose severe sanctions to limit Russia’s economic competitiveness. Biden earlier in the week stated that Russia’s NordStream 2 gas pipeline, which is now connected to Germany, would be stopped.
Biden indicated that, while he was not going to send U.S. troops into Ukraine, he would allow troop deployments in NATO member countries. Biden placed an earlier order for more U.S. military equipment and troops to Hungary, a NATO ally which borders Ukraine.
On Thursday, Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, warned that Russia’s renewed aggression against Ukraine would disrupt not only European security but also the international order for maintaining peace.
During a panel discussion at Munich Security Conference, America’s top diplomat stated that “What is at stake is first and foremost, the lives and well-being of Ukrainians.”
“Those principles have been challenged right now by Russia and Ukraine. Principles like you don’t have the power to change another country’s borders by force. Principles like you can’t dictate choices to another country’s policies or decisions. Principles like you cannot use a sphere for influence to subjugate neighbor to your will.” Blinken concluded.
Blinken visited Munich to make a dramatic appearance at United Nations. He shared his grim assessment on what Russian forces might do to Ukraine, if the Kremlin launched an attack.
“We don’t know exactly how things will turn out. But here are some things the world could see happen. It is actually unfolding now,” Blinken stated to the U.N. Security Council.
“Russian bombs and missiles will fall across Ukraine. Cyberattacks will stop key institutions in Ukraine and jam communications. He added that Russian tanks and soldiers would then advance on key targets already identified and detailed planned.”
Biden’s Secretary for Defense Lloyd Austin stated to reporters at NATO headquarters that the U.S. would still prefer a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine border crisis.
“Ofcourse, Mr. Putin wants to engage in more dialog. We would welcome that, as we have been saying all along,” Austin stated after wrapping up a two day meeting with NATO allies.
“As his deeds so far tend to suggest, it will be obvious to the entire globe that we started a conflict with diplomatic options. Putin will bear the blame for the suffering and the enormous sacrifice that ensues,” he said. He asked Putin to withdraw troops en route to Ukraine.
Last month, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley told reporters at the Pentagon that Russia’s posture along Ukraine’s border was unlike anything he has seen during his four-decade military career.
He stated that the Russians had deployed special forces, air forces, naval force forces, cyber electronic warfare and command and control along Ukraine’s borders.
“Given what type of forces are arrayed, ground maneuver forces as well the artillery and ballistic missiles, air forces, all that is packaged together. Milley stated that if this were unleashed against Ukraine, it would have a large impact and result in significant casualties.” Milley stated on Jan. 28.
He added, “It would have been horrific.”