Biden believes that Russia decided to attack Ukraine
Moscow. February 19th. INTERFAX.RU – US President Joe Biden on Saturday heightened fears that Russia has already decided to invade Ukraine and an attack could be in the coming days, but not an exceptional possibility of finding a solution.
“We have samples that Russian forces are planning and investigating attacks on Ukraine in the coming week, in the coming days,” he told reporters at the White House.
In his opinion, Russia should expect Kiev, “where 2.8 million innocent citizens live.”
“We have reason to believe that this decision (about the attack – IF) is accepted,” Biden said, answering a reporter’s question.
It is not too late for Russia to make a choice in favor of diplomacy for the open situation around Ukraine.
“Russia has a choice – war and suffering or diplomacy that provides a more secure future for all,” he said, recalling that Moscow had agreed to a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrova and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken next week.
Biden also called unsubstantiated and illogical cases of Kiev producing events in the Donbass.
“We are seeing more and more disinformation intended for Russian broadcast. Including data from the use of Russian separatists who choose that Ukraine is going to start a mass demonstration in the Donbass, ”Biden said.
According to him, the fact that Ukraine decides to escalate the long-term conflict in conditions when 150,000 troops are concentrated near its borders “contradicts elementary logic.”
Since the fall of 2021, the United States and other Western countries have been reporting the growth of Russian troops near the borders with Ukraine. They believe that Russia may be planning an invasion of the country, threatening it with sanctions. Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is not subject to aggression against a neighboring state.
The day before, the authorities of the unrecognized DPR and LPR announced a mass evacuation of people, women and children in the Rostov region of Russia, explaining this by increasing sensitivity in the Donbass.