KYIV, Ukraine- U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday has released a statement that he is “convinced” Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided to invade Ukraine, including an assault on the capital, as tensions soar along the nation’s militarized line with attacks that the West said could be “false-flag” operations meant to install a pretext for invasion.
A humanitarian convoy was hit by shelling, & pro-Russian rebels cleared civilians from the war region.
Meanwhile, a car bombing hit the eastern city of Donetsk, but no deaths were reported.
After weeks of stating that the U.S. was unsure if Putin had made the final invasion decision, Biden said that assessment had changed, citing American intelligence.
President Biden added that, “As of this moment, I am convinced he has made the decision. We have reason to believe that.”
He further reiterated that the assault could occur in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced massive drills to flex its military muscle, and Putin assured to protect Russia’s national interest against what it sees as encroaching Western threats.
Biden recited his threat of massive economic and diplomatic sanctions against Russia if it does invade, and pressed Putin to rethink about his course of action. He said that the U.S. and its Western allies were not united to ensure Russia paid the price for the invasion.
With an estimated 150,000 Russian troops deployed around Ukraine’s borders, U.S. and European officials warn that the long-simmering separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine could provide the spark of a massive attack.
As further indication that the Russians are getting ready for a potential invasion, a U.S. defence official said an estimated 40% to 50% of the ground forces deployed in the vicinity of the Ukrainian border have moved into attack positions nearer the border. Other officials have said that that shift has been underway for about a week and does not necessarily mean Putin has decided to begin an invasion.
