The United States does not believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a decision on a possible invasion of Ukraine, but that there is a real possibility that this will happen. To clarify this, speaking with reporters at the White House, was Jake Sullivan, Washington’s national security adviser during the briefing at the White House. “We are not saying that a decision has been made, that the final decision was made by President Putin. We are saying that we have a sufficient level of concern, based on what we are seeing on the ground and what our intelligence analysts have gathered. It is an urgent message because we are in an urgent situation “, she added.
“I will not go into detail on the intelligence information we have, but I want to be clear” about the Russian invasion. “It could start during the Olympics, despite all the allegations that it will only happen after the Olympic Games “.” As already said previously – he added – we are ready in both cases. We are ready to pursue a diplomacy, aimed at achieving results, and which has addressed the security concerns of the United States, Russia and Europe in line with our values and on a basis of reciprocity, illustrated to Russia together. to our allies and partners. We are also ready to respond alongside those same allies and partners in the event that Russia decides to take military action. “
“Only one country has amassed more than 100,000 troops on the border of another country with all their might to lead an invasion. That country is Russia. That country is not the United States,” Sullivan points out. “So the fastest way to get to one de-escalation for all parties involved is that Russia chooses to reduce its mobilization of forces“. “The United States is responding to the active concentration of military pressure on Ukrainewe are doing this hand in hand with allies and partners, and at the same time we have been extremely far-sighted in our willingness to engage diplomatically to address the mutual concerns of Russia, Europeans and the US regarding security in Europe, “he said.
“We want to be absolutely clear about it. Every American who is in Ukraine it should leave as soon as possible and in any case within the next 24-48 hours“he warns.” Obviously we cannot predict the future. We don’t know exactly what will happen, but the risk is now quite high and the threat is quite immediate, “she added during the White House briefing.”If American citizens decide to stay, they will do so by taking the risk with no guarantees that there will be other opportunities to leave and no prospect of an American military evacuation in the event of a Russian invasion. ”
THE PHONE CALL – American President Biden should speak tomorrow on the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. This was made known by a source cited by CNN. The last call between the two was at the end of December.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden spoke today with transatlantic leaders during a video call during which he was expressed “concern about Russia’s continued buildup of military forces around Ukraine and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine was reaffirmed “. The leaders, the White House announced,”they expressed the desire for a diplomatic solution to the crisis“.
NEW TROOPS IN POLAND – The US Minister of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has ordered the deployment of another 3 thousand soldiers of the 82nd division airborne in the face of growing concerns about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. The troops will leave in the next two days to reach the 1,700 members of the unit already in place.
DRAGHI – Prime Minister Mario Draghi attended a videoconference this afternoon, organized by the American side, with President Biden, President Macron, Chancellor Scholz, Prime Minister Johnson, Prime Minister Trudeau, President Duda, President Iohannis, the President of the European Council Michel, the President of the European Commission von der Leyen and the NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. We read in a note from Palazzo Chigi.
The latest developments of the Ukrainian crisis were analyzed. The scenario represented was shared and the need to ensure a firm posture of deterrence was confirmed, keeping dialogue with Moscow open also to implement the Minsk agreements. The examination of the sanctions that would be adopted in the event of an attack on the territorial integrity of Ukraine was deepened.
Draghi supports the opportunity for serious sanctions, while continuing to hope for a useful dialogue.