Date: 2024-12-21 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00021708
GEOPOLITICS
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE
Biden warns Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen in next several days
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE
Biden warns Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen in next several days
CNN
Original article: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/594691-biden-warns-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-will-happen-in-next-several
Burgess COMMENTARY
Wednesday came and went ... but that does not mean an invasion of Ukraine by Russia will not happen. Rather, all the indicators are that an invasion by Russia will happen.
I do not have any knowledge of 'classified' intelligence, but what is publicly available suggests that Vladimir Putin is going to do something aggressive sooner rather than later.
Some of Putin's decision making is likely to be influenced by the reality that Russia ... the Russian Federation ... is not doing very well. While the physical geography of Russia is huge stretching from Europe to Vladivistock on the Asian Pacific coast several thousand miles away. The mineral wealth of Russia might be huge ... but the conditions to exploit this potential wealth are poor. Financially, Russia needs revenues from energy exports, and the current Putin bullying is likely to diminish the economic value of this industry.
I am feeling very pessimistic about a peaceful outcome to this geopolitical mess.
Peter Burgess
BY ALEX GANGITANO
Thursday, 02/17/22 09:53 AM EST
President Biden on Thursday said that he believes Russia will invade Ukraine in the next several days, noting that Russia has added more troops to the border.
“Yes, I do,” Biden told reporters when asked if Russia will go through with the invasion. “My sense is it will happen within the next several days.”
He said the threat of a Russian invasion is “very high.”
“Because they have not moved any of their troops out, they’ve moved more troops in, number one. Number two, we have reason to believe that they are engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in,” the president added. “Every indication we have is they are prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.”
A Biden administration official said Wednesday that Russia has added as many as 7,000 troops at the border with Ukraine, characterizing claims by Moscow that it was withdrawing forces as “false.”
The news from the Biden administration directly challenged statements from Russia within the last 24 hours that they have pulled back some forces and are willing to engage in diplomacy.
Biden said that he does not intend to hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The last time the two spoke was Saturday.
“I have no plans to call Putin right now,” the president said. When asked if he believes a diplomatic resolution is still possible, Biden said “yes.”
Biden also noted that Secretary of State Antony Blinken is addressing the United States Security Council on Thursday and plans to play out a diplomatic path for the Russians.
The Kremlin earlier on Thursday accused the U.S. and NATO of making “unfounded accusations” after officials said Russia has made no effort to withdraw its forces from near the Ukrainian border.
The Kremlin has also ordered the expulsion of the U.S. Embassy’s second-ranking diplomat in Russia, Deputy Chief of Mission Bart Forman.
Biden administration officials have warned since late last week that Russia has amassed enough troops on Ukraine’s border to launch a military attack at any moment.
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