Russian President Vladimir Putin was warned Saturday by President Joe Biden that the United States would “respond decisively” and impose severe and swift costs if Russia invades Ukraine. Officials from the United States warn that a Russian invasion could occur ” at any moment.”
In light of the Russian military buildup at Ukraine’s borders, Mr. Biden stressed to Putin on a telephone call that an invasion would cause widespread human suffering and lower Russia’s standing.
“President Biden made it clear to President Putin that the United States is ready to engage in diplomacy in full coordination and with our Allies, but we are equally ready for other scenarios,” said the White House Saturday.
The Biden administration has urged American citizens leave Ukraine. On Saturday, the U.S. Department of State issued an order tonon emergency employees at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave.
“Today, [State Department] ordered all non-emergency U.S. personnel at the Embassy to leave due to continuing reports of a Russian military building-up along the border with Ukraine,” the Embassy tweeted Saturday morning.
According to a senior defense official, thousands of American troops were ordered to Poland. They are expected to arrive there by next week and join the 2,000 troops already in place.
Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser, told reporters that the U.S. believes Russia is intent on creating a false flag operation to justify an invasion. “Something that they create and try to blame the Ukrainians for triggering military action.” Sullivan stated that any future attack will likely start with “aerial bombing, missile attacks”, before being followed by “the onslaught a large force.”
Russian forces are well-positioned to send troops across Ukraine’s border with Belarus and launch an attack from the Black Sea. Moscow can also send troops to Ukraine’s east border.
U.S. officials claim that Russia has intelligence operatives present on the ground, which could be used to create a false flag and provide a pretext for invasion. U.S. officials stated last month that this could be Russian operatives who are “trained in urban warfare” and can use explosives to execute acts of sabotage against Russia’s proxy forces.