US Vows to Prevent "Russian Invasion" of Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Moscow of "serious consequences" amid Russian plans involving around 175,000 troops.
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US Antony Blinken warned Russia against "invading" Ukraine.
Russia is allegedly planning an operation involving up to 175,000 troops as early as next year, according to The Wahington Post.
Moscow's plans "involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel, along with armor, artillery, and equipment," a US administration official told the Post on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon told AFP that it declines to comment on intelligence issues and that it was "deeply concerned" by evidence that Russia has made plans for "aggressive actions against Ukraine."
The Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov claimed that Russia has roughly 100,000 troops stationed near the Ukrainian border. Russia denies that it is bolstering its military.
"The most likely time to reach readiness for escalation will be the end of January," Reznikov said.
Following a visit with his Russian counterpart on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had "deep concerns about Russia's plans for renewed aggression against Ukraine."
He warned Moscow of "serious consequences" if Russia "decides to pursue confrontation."
US vows to prevent any Russian "invasion" of Ukraine
US President Joe Biden said on Friday that any "invasion" of Ukraine would be "very, very difficult" for Russia.
Moscow has massed soldiers near Ukraine's borders, according to Washington and Kiev, who accuse Russia of planning an attack.
Both parties confirmed Friday that President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrange a video chat soon to discuss the growing tensions.
Biden told reporters in Washington he was putting together "the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Putin to go ahead and do what people are worried he may do."
"The most likely time to reach readiness for escalation will be the end of January," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told parliament in Kiev on Friday.
Moreover, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu held a video conference with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe. Shoigu announced that this month, 10 US strategic bombers have trained to launch nuclear missiles against Russia.
The Russian defense minister Shoigu in the details said that "this month, during US strategic forces, exercise Global Thunder, ten strategic bombers practiced the option of using nuclear weapons against Russia almost simultaneously from the Western and Eastern directions," according to Sputnik.
