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For: EFE Updated 06 Feb 2022, 14: 38 pm EST
The United States believes that Russia could invade Ukraine “any day” , but is still working to maintain the diplomatic path to reduce tensions with Moscow, Jake Sullivan, Senior National Security Adviser at the White House, said on Sunday.
This was indicated by Sullivan in an interview on the Fox network in which he commented on the possibilities of a Russian military attack against Kiev.
“Any day now. Russia could take military action against Ukraine or it could take a couple of weeks or Russia could choose to take the diplomatic route”, he pointed out.
Sullivan acknowledged that Moscow has different alternatives, among which he cited the annexation of the Donbas region, in eastern Ukraine; a total invasion that includes reaching the capital Kiev or computer attacks.
In this sense, he warned Moscow of the consequences of a warlike conflict.
“If a war breaks out, it will be at a huge cost for Ukraine, but we believe that according to our preparations and response, it will also entail a strategic cost for Russia”, he asserted, emphasizing the unity between NATO allies in this regard.
However, he reiterated that both Washington and its European partners prefer a diplomatic solution and pointed out that there is still room for dialogue.
For this reason, the United States ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, remarked in another interview on CNN also this Sunday, that they “still” work to “dissuade the Russians from making the wrong decision”.
The voltage has shot up in the last weeks for the deployment of 100,000 Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine, something that Washington considers the prelude to an invasion, although Moscow has denied it.
United States announced on Wednesday the sending of 3, 000 soldiers to allied countries in Eastern Europe, bordering Ukraine.
Russia for its part, urged the United States not to aggravate tensions and stressed that it will adopt measures in the face of Washington’s plans to send an additional military contingent to Eastern Europe. It may interest you:
– Russia urges the US not to aggravate tensions by Ukraine after sending soldiers to Europe
– United States mobilizes 3,000 soldiers to support allies Europeans, as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine deepened due to the threat of invasion
– The US warns of a “swift and severe” response to any Russian incursion into Ukraine