On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry warned President Joe Biden to not make backdoor deals with Vladimir Putin. As Russia gets closer to invading Ukraine while the U.S. weighs troop mobilization.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, stated that if anyone offers a concession to Ukraine, it will be against Ukraine’s wishes. We will not accept a nation that talks on the phone and hears instructions from the major power, then acts accordingly. No.’
He said, “We have paid a lot to get the right to determine our future and our destiny. We will not accept any concessions from anyone.”
Kuleba stated that any person who arrives in Kyiv demanding more concessions, he will expel them from the country and arrange for an escort at the airport.
Ukraine’s leaders have “turned the page” on Biden’s statement last week that the U.S. would not respond if Russia committed only a minor invasion against Ukraine. Kuleba insists.
This faux pas was later corrected by the White House. It prompted Republican complaints that there’s no such thing as “minor intrusion” when it comes time to possible Russian invasion.
Kuleba stated that U.S. officials had privately reiterated to Ukrainian officials that they were committed to’slashing Russia’ if Russia is invading, invaded, or interferes.
Ukrainian leadership is not happy with the way the Biden administration is responding to the threat of Russia invading – specifically as the State Department evacuated embassy staff and their families from Kyiv.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister warned that world leaders should not make deals “behind Ukraine’s back” as Russia builds up forces along its border amid growing concerns about an invasion.
Russia already has a presence at Ukraine’s eastern border with more than 100,000 soldiers and thousands of troops elsewhere. Tensions are rising and fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine will only increase.
American politicians press Biden to place preemptive sanctions against Russia in advance of any possible invasion. On Tuesday 25 January 2022, President Vladimir Putin of Russia meets with students at top Russian universities.
Volodymyr Ziensky, a close source to the Ukraine president said that he is positive there isn’t an “imminent threat” to Ukraine.
On Monday, the BuzzFeed News source spoke out against the government’s decision to tell American citizens living in Ukraine to evacuate the country. They also pulled embassy staff.
Source said that the U.S. had been the first to make this announcement was extremely disappointing.
‘Quite frankly these Americans are safer in Kyiv than they are in Los Angeles … or any other crime-ridden city in the U.S.,’ the Zelensky source added in taking aim at the spiking crime rates in U.S. cities.
According to the State Department, Sunday was the day that the United States forced the Ukrainian families of their diplomats to flee the country.
American citizens were warned to move by the government, warning them to do so on their own.
“Given the fact that President Putin has stated military action from Russia may occur at any moment, the US government won’t be able to evacuate US citizens,” State Department officials claimed during a weekend press conference.
They suggested that U.S. citizens who are currently in Ukraine plan to do so, and suggest people book commercial flights.
According to a source, Zelensky’s office considers the actions of Biden as “utterly absurd” and symbolic of the ‘U.S. inconsistency.’
On the other hand [Washington tells Ukraine]What we need to democratize. “We are here for you. You have the right to decide to join West. In a resemblance to past U.S. messages, the source stated that we will support you against Russian aggression.
The source said, “Then Russia raises the temperature and they are the first to go.”
Oleg Nikolenko (Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson) criticized Monday President Biden for pulling relatives and embassy personnel out of Kyiv.
“We have taken notice of” [the State Department]The family has taken the decision to leave. [US Embassy in Kiev]”staff,” Nikolenko posted on Twitter early Monday morning.
‘While we respect right (sic) of foreign nations to ensure safety & security of foreign nations to ensure safety & security of their diplomatic missions, we believe such a step to be a premature one & an instance of excessive caution.’
Nikolenko pointed out that the European Union does not tell its employees to leave.
Biden’s staff is creating contingency plans for Russia if it cuts off natural gas and crude oil exports.
A senior American administration official said that the United States was working closely with producers of energy in Asia, North Africa, and Middle East to make sure Europe is able to get enough supply in case Russia stops production.
American officials have also pledged harsher sanctions should Russia invade their neighbor. It will be a more aggressive approach to Russia’s aggression than that taken in 2014.
The gradualism of the old is over. On the briefing call, a senior official from the administration stated that this time they would start at the top and continue there.
According to a report, members of Biden’s administration will host two secret briefings in Congress Tuesday. These briefings are intended to inform leadership aides as well as committee staff about the current situation in Ukraine.
Congress is not in session this week. Therefore, members of both the House and Senate must wait until next week before they can get briefings with administration officials.
While Russia is increasing its military presence along the Ukraine-Russia border, Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker) and Chuck Schumer (Senate Majority Leader) have both called for briefings in full chambers.
John Kirby, Pentagon Spokesperson announced that 8.500 U.S. troops were on alert to be deployed to Eastern European countries during Monday’s briefing. This was as the world awaits news from Russia on whether it will invade Ukraine.
Kirby explained that although the troops had been placed on standby for a while, there was no definitive decision on whether or not they would be deployed. Kirby also stated that the group placed on alert includes intelligence and transport units.
Allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are moving additional military equipment, including naval and air assets, into the region.
According to the New York Times, President Joe Biden has been considering sending up to 50,000 troops into Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries. The plan doesn’t include U.S. military forces being sent directly into Ukraine.
Members of Joe Biden’s administration will hold two classified congressional briefings on Tuesday to update leadership aides and committee staff on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded full-chamber briefings
Punchbowl News’ Tuesday morning newsletter featured a Biden official saying that since the crisis began, Secretary of States Antony Blinken (Secretary) and Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman had spoken to nearly 20 lawmakers in just six weeks. The officials also stated they plan to make more calls this week.
Biden, according to the official, had a conversation December 7 with the ‘Big Four’ party leaders about Ukraine and Russia – the group consists of Pelosi, Schumer and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
President met also with a bipartisan group composed of senators that just returned from Kyiv, 19 January.
Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser, held six briefings to Congress members. These included leadership as well as the leaders and ranking members on national security committees.
McConnell revealed to CNN’s Manuraju Monday that he spoke with Sullivan recently about the escalating Ukraine/Russia conflict.
There have been 9 interagency briefings to the national security commissions. Eight briefings were given for leadership, committee, personal staff and leadership. However, leadership is still keen for the whole chamber to receive an administration briefing on the subject.
Numerous lawmakers continue to push for diplomatic alternatives rather than troop deployment, while others call for preemptive sanctions.
Republicans denounce President Biden’s inaction when it comes down to sanctioning Russia.
John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, announced Monday that 8500 U.S. troops were placed on alert. The Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby announced Monday that 8,500 U.S. troops were on standby. He did not provide details about the units of these troops, which could be deployed to Eastern Europe.
Some people are calling on Russia to be removed from SWIFT’s banking system. This is the central facilitator for worldwide financial transactions.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are working together to pass legislation that will bolster Ukraine’s defenses as well as punish Russia in light of the growing threat for invasion.
Eight senators from both parties met Monday evening to debate a Democrat’s Russia sanctions bill. The aim was to prevent Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine. There were four Democrats and four Republicans who discussed potential changes to the legislation which might win 10 more GOP members.
Politico reports that the initial talks revolved around Senate foreign relations Chair Bob Menendez’s legislation, which is referred to as “mother of all sanctions”. It authorizes severe financial penalties, which would only apply in the instance of Russian invading Ukraine.
Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan has left Republicans with little confidence in his ability to handle the impending war in Europe. Congress will be alerted to American participation in Europe five months after the disaster that was Afghanistan’s pullout.
According to The New York Times, NATO and Biden are likely to write to Russian President Vladimir Putin to request a diplomatic option to prevent conflict.
Three areas are on the top of Putin’s potential for compromise – assurances that Ukraine won’t enter NATO, the group’s vow not to further expand and a restoration to Russia’s influence in the region before the strategic map of Europe was redrawn in the 1990s.
Biden’s State of the Union speech is March 1st. However, the president might want to address the nation on rising tensions and Eastern Europe in the meantime.
In a video conference Monday afternoon between President Biden and leaders of the European Union (France, Germany, Italy), Poland, Poland, Germany and the United Kingdom, the meeting lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Biden stated that it was a great meeting during Monday’s meeting with his cabinet regarding inflation. “Total unity with all European leaders. Later, we’ll discuss it.
He was unable to discuss the latest news from Europe regarding the conflict worsening.
In a virtual conference call, the White House stated that the NATO group had discussed “their collective efforts to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine”, including plans to impose severe consequences on Russia and impose economic costs.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the leaders had agreed to pay’severe’ costs to Russia in case of an invasion by Moscow.
He tweeted, “We agree that any additional aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have severe consequences.”
The Pentagon clarified U.S. strategy in light of reports that U.S. may consider a large deployment, possibly up to 50,000 troops.
John Kirby, Defense Department spokesperson said Monday that this was about “getting people ready for the future”. He claimed that most of these troops would be ground forces.
He stated that they were ready to stand by in the case NATO activates its NATO Response Force (NRF), or in the face of a “deteriorating security environment”.
“There is no mission in itself, but this is about [Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin]Kirby explained to reporters that Kirby was trying to prevent activation of units and ensure they have enough time to prepare.
NATO Response Force comprises approximately 40,000 troops from around the world, including special operations forces (SOF) and land, sea, and air units.
Kirby explained that this move sends a strong signal that NATO is on its side and ensures that allies have the capability they require to defend themselves.
As the U.S. demands preemptive sanctions to stop Russia from moving forces towards Ukraine, lawmakers continue to call for Russia’s continued buildup. Here a screen shot is taken from a Russian Defense Ministry Press Service video showing an armored vehicle driving off a railway platform after arrival in Belarus on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
He said that the troops are on “heightened alert” and do not plan to deploy.
According to Austin, the ‘bulk’ of them would go to the NRF and be activated when called upon by Western defense coalition. However, Austin also stated that 8,500 troops should still be available for other contingencies.
Kirby stated that most of the standby troops are active duty military personnel. However, Kirby didn’t rule out the possibility to have reserve units assembled.
Austin directed the troops to be ready for deployment under the command of President Joe Biden.
Kirby stated that the unit flagged to be deployed to Eastern Europe will be announced and notified in the very near future.
“It’s quite clear that Russia has no intention at the moment of de-escalating,” he said.