(Washington) The United States is “ready” for all scenarios with Russia, whether it is to continue dialogue or to provide a “firm response” in the event of an attack on Ukraine, said Thursday a close adviser to Joe Biden after a week of diplomacy with Moscow.
Posted at 3:59 p.m.
Updated at 4:15 p.m.
“We will now reflect and consult with our allies and partners on what we are going to do,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House.
According to US intelligence, the Russians have not yet “made a final decision” on a possible invasion of the neighboring country.
“We are ready for all scenarios. We are ready to make progress at the negotiating table” and “we are ready to take the necessary and appropriate measures to defend our allies, support our partners, and provide a firm response to any aggression”, he added. .
“We continue to coordinate intensively with our partners on tough economic measures in response to any subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he warned.
Asked about the unity between the United States and Europe on possible sanctions, he displayed his “confidence”.
This does not necessarily mean that both sides of the Atlantic “will have precisely the same list down to the details”, but “I am confident” that Americans and Europeans will be able to “act in unison in implementing implementation of severe economic measures”, insisted Jake Sullivan.
Washington reaffirms its commitment to assist Kiev militarily
Separately, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to provide “defensive assistance” to the Ukrainian army, as talks between Russia and the West failed to reduce tension on Ukraine’s borders.
PHOTO ALEX BRANDON, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Also, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
During a telephone interview with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov, Mr. Austin spoke of the “unjustified reinforcement of the Russian military posture in Ukraine and on its borders”, indicated the spokesman of the Pentagon, John Kirby.
He “reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United States for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including ongoing efforts to strengthen the capabilities of Ukrainian forces through the provision of defensive assistance”, specified Mr. Kirby to the press.
The two men did not discuss any particular weaponry, the Pentagon chief simply “reaffirming our commitment to help Ukraine defend itself”, he added.
Washington has provided Ukraine with small arms, patrol ships and Javelin anti-tank missile launchers, but many lawmakers in Congress would like the White House to do more.
Senior US Democratic senators on Wednesday unveiled a new sanctions bill that aims to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin and provide financial aid to Kiev in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Defend Ukraine Sovereignty Act also provides $500 million in additional military aid to Ukraine to deal with a Russian invasion, more than double what President Joe Biden’s administration has provided. supplied to Kiev last year.
According to Wall Street Journal, the Biden administration is reportedly considering supplying Kiev with helicopters initially intended for the Afghan army.
100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine
Westerners accuse Moscow of having massed in recent weeks around 100,000 soldiers, tanks and artillery on the borders of Ukraine to prepare an attack against this country, an intention denied by the Russian authorities.
Mr. Kirby said Thursday that two-thirds of these Russian soldiers came from other military regions and that only a third were already stationed in the region.
“We remain very concerned about the Russian presence near the border with Ukraine,” he added. “We remain very concerned about what appears to be a refusal on their part to find a way to de-escalate.”
“We have seen no signs of a reduction in this military posture,” he concluded. “And we are watching it very closely.”