National security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come before the conclusion of the Winter Olympics on Feb. 20, but did not say whether U.S. officials had determined whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on a course of action.
Sullivan urged Americans still in Ukraine to depart the country within the next 24 to 48 hours, saying President Joe Biden would not send troops into harm’s way to evacuate U.S. citizens who could have left the Eastern European country when they had the chance.
Sullivan’s statements represent the most dire U.S. assessment of the Russia-Ukraine conflict over months of escalating tensions between Moscow and the West.
Thus far, the Biden administration has sought to pursue a dual-track approach to the security crisis that leaves open the door to diplomacy with Moscow while warning of punishing international sanctions should Putin move his troops across Ukraine’s borders.
But the likelihood of an invasion has only increased in recent days, as Russia has begun massive joint military exercises with Belarus.
Fonte: POLITICO
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