Time has not come for diplomacy on Ukraine: White House
4 Min Read
The White House speaks on behalf of the Ukrainian people and says it is not time for diplomacy yet, further exacerbating the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
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Patriot missile defense system is seen at Sliac Airport, in Sliac, near Zvolen, Slovakia, May 6, 2022 (Reuters)
Though its ally has been embroiled in a war that broke out nearly 10 months ago, the United States said on Friday that it did not believe the time has come for diplomacy and a diplomatic solution that would bring to a grinding halt the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Friday that his country would continue pumping arms into Ukraine while dismissing the need for diplomacy and negotiations to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis.
"It's our job to continue to sustain our military support to Ukraine, so there is the best possible position on the battlefield so that if, and when diplomacy is right, they will be in the best possible position at the negotiating table. That moment is not right now," Sullivan told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Forum.
This comes after US President Joe Biden reiterated earlier in the week Washington's support for Ukraine during a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
During the phone call with Zelensky, Biden also reaffirmed the US commitment to continue providing security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Kiev while imposing costs on Russia.
This comes weeks after the White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not ready for negotiations with Russia.
"President Zelensky... also has said he believes in a diplomatic solution, but he's not ready either. So we're just not at a point right now where talks seem to be a fruitful avenue to approach," Kirby said at a press briefing. Kirby also stated that the US is committed to ensuring that Ukraine continues to receive necessary security assistance.
On another hand, Kirby said Biden has not indicated that now is the time to hold negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the crisis in Ukraine. "The President wasn't at all indicating that this now is the time for talks," Kirby said during a conference call.
Air defenses to be funneled in, too
Furthermore, Kirby announced Friday that Ukraine's next military aid package is expected to include additional air defense capabilities.
"I think you could expect to see additional air defense capabilities in this," Kirby told a press briefing.
Zelensky was assured in October by US President Joe Biden that Washington still intended to ship air defense systems to Ukraine alongside security assistance.
Biden went on to condemn Russia's missile strikes on Ukraine as "senseless," with the statement adding: "President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems... He also underscored his ongoing engagement with allies and partners to continue imposing costs on Russia."
CNN, meanwhile, reported on Tuesday that two United States officials and a senior administration official revealed that Pentagon is finalizing plans to send the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, which could be announced as soon as this week.
The plan had to be approved by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before being sent to President Joe Biden for his signature, with the three officials telling CNN that approval is expected.
In late November, Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadaire General Pat Ryder said the US has no plans "to provide Patriot batteries to Ukraine but again, we’ll continue to have those discussions." The statement came on the same day that another senior Defense Department official stated that the United States is considering sending Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine.
