WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden on Friday said the US had reason to believe that Russia would attack the Ukrainian capital in the coming days, calling the situation “a growing crisis.”
Speaking at the White House, Biden said he was “convinced” that Russian President Vladimir Putin had already “made a decision” to attack Ukraine, but said the decision of officials was still on the table.
“It’s not too late to lower the bar and go back to the negotiating table,” Biden said.
The president also said that Russia was pressuring “further disinformation” in an effort to make Ukraine look like a tyrant. Biden said it was part of the Kremlin’s playbook to establish “false grounds for action against Ukraine.”
Biden also insisted that he would not send US troops to fight in Ukraine.
Friday’s speech came after two morning calls. Biden discussed the situation in Ukraine with a group of US lawmakers who accompanied Deputy President Kamala Harris to the Munich Security Summit. He also spoke by telephone with European and NATO leaders.
“Despite Russia’s attempts to divide us at home and abroad, I can assure you that it did not happen,” Biden said. “The amazing message on both phones was unity, determination and determination.”
Just before Biden spoke, deputy national security adviser on cyber and emerging technology Anne Neuberger told reporters that the US believed Russia was behind the attacks on Ukrainian banks earlier this week.
“While there is a limited impact, this latest cyberattack incident in Ukraine is in line with what the Russian effort might look like, and lays the groundwork for disruptive computer attacks linked to potential attacks on Ukrainian private spaces,” Neuberger said.
Biden’s televised speech was marked for the second time this week by speaking directly to the American public about US efforts to help end the war between Russia and Ukraine, as U.S. officials painted a grim picture in recent days about a possible solution and warned that Moscow was not showing signs of slowing down.
Russian-backed separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine announced the relocation of rebels from their rebel region to Russia on Friday, raising fears that Moscow was planning to use the long-running escalating conflict as an excuse to attack. This action resulted in an increase in shootings in the area.
Moscow has announced major tests involving its nuclear forces from Saturday under Putin and will be a reminder of the country’s nuclear power, as Europe faces a major security crisis since the Cold War.
White House foreign advisers have been urging Biden to do more to communicate with the American people about the possible effects of the Russian offensive not only on international security, but also on the US economy.
Russia’s status as one of the world’s largest energy suppliers means that the imports of imports could lead to higher oil and natural gas prices that could affect American consumers.
Russia is also the world’s largest supplier of raw materials, such as aluminum, nickel, palladium, and copper. Any disruption in the delivery of these services could disrupt the already disrupted global supply chain, and add to inflation, which has been at an all-time high for decades.
“If Russia follows these plans, it will face an unnecessary war of choice,” Biden said on Friday.