“We aren’t saying that a decision was made,” Sullivan stated, declining to discuss intelligence details beyond the fact that new Russian forces have arrived at the Ukrainian border. After President Biden had spoken to trans-Atlantic leaders regarding the situation and possible responses, Sullivan spoke to reporters.
“I want to make it clear: It could start during the Olympics despite a lot speculation that it would only occur after the Olympics,” Sullivan stated.
Biden will likely speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday morning.
Sullivan could not predict when a Russian military strike might occur.
Sullivan stated that the U.S. is continuing to shrink its embassy footprints in Kyiv.
He said that any Americans living in Ukraine should evacuate as soon as possible.
He stated that if you remain, you are taking on risk. There is no guarantee of another chance to leave or of an American military evacuation in case of invasion by Russia.
Sullivan stated that he couldn’t predict the extent or breadth of a Russian military invasion of Ukraine. He stated that there are real chances of it involving the seizure large areas of territory in Ukraine as well as the seizure major cities, including the capital.
Sullivan could not predict when a Russian military strike might occur.
He said, “We cannot pinpoint the date at this point and we can’t pinpoint the hour.” “But we can tell you that there is a possibility that a Russian military operation would occur even before the Olympics end. The Beijing games are scheduled to end Sunday, February 20.
When Sullivan was asked about U.S. intelligence estimates in the past that had been proven wrong, such as the one that was made prior to the Iraq War when Bush administration officials claimed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, Sullivan replied that things are different now.
“In the current situation in Iraq intelligence was used and deployed right from this podium to start war. He stated that we are trying to end a war and prevent another war.
NPR has been informed by a defense official that the Defense Department will be sending an additional 3,000 U.S. soldiers to Poland within the next few days. This is in addition 3,000 U.S. soldiers the administration is sending to Poland and around 8,500 who are already on high alert and ready to deploy to Europe if necessary. The U.S. forces based in Poland will assist those Americans who fled Ukraine in preparation for an invasion. They would not be involved in any combat role in Ukraine.
