New Delhi: Joe Biden has claimed that 150,000 Russian troops remain in a “threatening position” around Ukraine, despite Russian claims of a withdrawal, and warned that an invasion remains distinctly possible.
Biden said he would rally the world to oppose Russian military action but made clear that the response would be primarily economic, saying, “I will not send American servicemen to fight in Ukraine.”
Biden made clear that any attack on NATO territory or harm to Americans would be treated differently.
“We are not seeking direct confrontation with Russia, though I’ve been clear that if Russia targets Americans and Ukraine, we will respond forcefully,” Biden said. “If Russia attacks the United States or our allies through asymmetric means, like disruptive cyber-attacks against our companies or critical infrastructure, we’re prepared to respond.”
Earlier in the day, the websites run by the Ukrainian defense ministry, the armed forces, and the country’s largest commercial bank, PrivatBank, were closed down after a cyber-attack.
The US media cited intelligence sources as saying the attack was probably the work of Russian government hackers, but the White House said it could not comment on attribution.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier had said Wednesday would be a “day of unity” for the country, urging people to fly flags and sing the national anthem at 10 am.
Some of the bank’s customers reported some services came back online later on Tuesday.
Biden was speaking hours after Vladimir Putin had claimed a “partial” drawdown of Russian forces from the Ukrainian border.
“We have not yet verified that Russian military units are returning to their home bases. Indeed our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position,” President Biden said. “The fact remains right now Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine’s border. An invasion remains distinctly possible.”
Russia has always denied planning to invade Ukraine, saying it can exercise troops on its own territory as it sees fit. It has been pressing for a set of security guarantees from the west, including a guarantee that Ukraine will never join NATO.
(_Vinayak)