In separate interviews on Sunday, two of President Joe Biden’s top officials echoed his sentiments that a Russian invasion of Ukraine appears to be imminent.
early last week amid the ongoing standoff with Russia. "He has a number of options available to him and he could attack in short order."In separate interviews Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed President Joe Biden’s sentiments that a Russian invasion of Ukraine appears to be imminent
The new estimate includes pro-Russian separatists inside Ukraine, the Russian National Guard and Russian troops in Crimea, which were not counted in previous assessments. A U.S. military official told The Associated Press that an estimated 40% to 50% of the ground forces surrounding Ukraine had moved into attack positions closer to the border.
Blinken on Sunday expressed concerns that the extension of the military excercises might be another sign Russia is planning to invade. Blinken noted Sunday that the U.S. will not unveil those sanctions ahead of invasion because it would give Putin and Russia the opportunity "to try and plan against them."
However, Blinken told CNN, recent events, including the extension of the troops in Belarus and the increase in shelling along the contact line, showed Putin well underway in laying the pretexts and groundwork for invasion, in line with findings of U.S. intelligence and previous Russian territorial grabs: “He is following the script almost to the letter."
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia-backed separatists accuse Ukraine of overnight attackLive updates on the Russia-Ukraine border crisis.
Read more »
Biden to speak on Russia and Ukraine after call with Transatlantic leadersPresident Joe Biden will speak at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the U.S.'s 'continued efforts to pursue deterrence and diplomacy, and Russia's buildup of military...
Read more »
Harris set to speak at a critical moment for the Russia-Ukraine crisisVice President Kamala Harris is taking center stage in front of a large, international audience on Saturday to deliver a keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany as the brewing conflict between Russia and Ukraine reaches a boiling point.
Read more »
Russia ‘poised to strike’ in the Ukraine, U.S. official warnsLithuanian officials voiced concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s alleged ambitions could expand to the region, but the U.S. isn't promising a permanent deployment of troops.
Read more »
Kamala Harris warns Russia of ‘unprecedented’ penalties if it invades UkraineThe vice president also predicted that such an attack would draw European allies closer to the United States during her remarks Saturday at the Munich Security Conference.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Putin conducts military exercise with hypersonic weapons, ICBMRUSSIA-UKRAINE LATEST: 🔷 Vice Pres. Harris meets with Ukrainian President in Munich 🔷 Putin oversees missile drill from Moscow
Read more »