The US officials are concerned over Russian threats of war against Ukraine become dangerously alarming despite the diplomatic meetings focusing to avoid the conflict more severe.
The US officials are concerned over Russian threats of war against Ukraine become dangerously alarming despite the diplomatic meetings focusing to avoid the conflict more severe.
The Russian Threats
Thursday, Jake Sullivan a national security adviser had warned that the Russians are set to prepare a “false flag” operation to use as a pretext to potential invasion against Ukraine capital Kyiv on top of its buildup of more than 100,000 troops in their borders. Moreover, the US representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe issued a stark warning that the “drumbeat of war is booming loudly.”
On January 14, White House press secretary Jen Psaki also said that the intelligence conclusion showed Russia is setting a foundation via social media disinformation campaign that frames Ukraine as an aggressor preparing for an imminent attack. Furthermore, Psaki charged that Russia has already dispatched personally skilled in urban warfare who might use explosives to perform any acts of sabotage against Russia’s proxy troops blaming the action on Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides he wants to move forward with an invasion. Antony Blinken the secretary of State said that Washington is willing to keep the discussion with Moscow to resolve its security concerns, but if Russia strikes Ukraine, Washington and its European allies are prepared to act accordingly.
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The US is Prepared for the Possible Russian Invasion
The Biden Administration said that the agenda of the United States over Russia did not result in any breakthroughs, instead, it served as a starting point for both parties to lay out their security concerns. Blinken said that during an interview with NPR on Thursday saying it was already clear with Russia that there are two paths, and they can decide which path to follow. There is the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and the US is committed to that matter. If Russia chooses aggression the US is fully prepared for it.
This includes sanctions against the Russian economic crisis, blocking exports and blacklisting key industries, enhancing NATO force posture near Russia’s border with Europe, and increasing defensive military support to Ukraine. Furthermore, Biden includes lifting Nord Stream 2 sanctions. However, Germany’s Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht on Thursday sought to separate the pipeline from the tensions with Moscow, saying not to drag into the conflict. the German defense minister John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and a former ambassador to Ukraine, highlighted the failure of Biden’s decision to waive the sanctions.
On Thursday, Republican-led an attempt to move in the Senate to pass the legislation that would override the president’s waiver and impose penalties on Nord Stream 2 AG fell short of the 60 votes that requires to overcome the filibuster. The final vote was 55-44, with six Democrats voting for the legislation.
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