U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Washington believes a Russian invasion of Ukraine is “still very much a possibility,” and he appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue talks — or risk severe consequences.
On Tuesday, Putin said he is ready for negotiations with the U.S. and its NATO allies over missile deployments and military exercises in Europe, after Moscow announced it is withdrawing some troops from along the Ukraine border.
“That would be good,” Biden said, echoing skepticism voiced by Ukrainian and NATO officials, “but we have not yet verified that. We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their own bases. Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position. And the fact remains right now Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine’s border.”
And if Russia takes action, he said — even through a virtual invasion — Biden warned of steep consequences.
“We’re not seeking direct confrontation with Russia,” Biden said. “I have been clear that if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully. If Russia attacks the United States or our allies through asymmetric means, like disruptive cyberattacks against our companies, or critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Washington and NATO are hoping to see a meaningful reduction of troop presence.
Putin’s agreement for more diplomacy with the West and the withdrawal of an undisclosed number of Russian troops after they completed training near Ukraine buoyed hopes that a feared imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine would be averted.
source: VOA