[Epoch Times November 12, 2021]According to a Bloomberg report, the United States has warned its European allies that Moscow is gathering forces on the western border and is likely to be planning an invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Pentagon both stated that they are closely watching Russia’s military buildup. However, Bloomberg News (link) quoted multiple sources as saying that the Biden administration has gone a step further and formally warned the European Union that Russia may launch a military offensive.
Bloomberg pointed out that this is an assessment made by the United States on the basis of intelligence it has, which has not yet been shared with European governments. If European countries are required to respond together, they must share this information with other countries. Officials said these assessments were supported by public evidence.
Brinken said on Wednesday that the United States is “monitoring the region very closely” and will “continue to consult closely with allies and partners on this issue.”
Speaking with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, he said: “As we have shown, any escalation or aggressive action will attract great attention from the United States.”
Brinken said that the United States does not know Russia’s intentions, but Moscow has been making provocative behaviors in its border areas in the past to provide reasons for military actions.
“We don’t know Moscow’s intentions, but we know its script,” he said. “If we see any provocative behavior, it must come from Russia.”
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated earlier this week that there are currently about 90,000 Russian soldiers stationed along the border and in eastern Ukraine controlled by rebels. (learn more)
Bloomberg pointed out that Russia has stated that military deployment on its territory is an internal affair. It denies any aggressive intentions and accuses U.S. warships of navigating in waters near its territory in the Black Sea this week as a provocative action.
The Kremlin’s actions were similar to those in March. At that time, the number of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border and in the Crimean Peninsula was about 100,000, and a considerable scale of military equipment was also assembled, which aroused international tensions.
After President Biden called Russian President Putin and proposed to hold a summit in June, the crisis eased.
Last week, 15 Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Biden. They called for greater support for Kiev to help them fight against separatists supported by Russia and deploy American troops in the Black Sea.
The letter read: “Russia is becoming more aggressive and has intensified its criticism of Ukraine on issues such as Ukraine’s military modernization, military partnership, and Ukraine’s accession to NATO.”
“Your government cannot ignore Russia’s continuing threat to international law and Ukrainian territorial sovereignty.”
On November 2, 2021, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, met in Moscow with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev.
According to the Associated Press, the US delegation has warned Russian officials that any threat to Ukraine’s security may have consequences.
Editor in charge: Ye Ziwei#
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