A satellite image of a tent camp at an airfield in Crimea, a peninsula Russia annexed in 2014.Credit:AP
Russia has amassed more than 130,000 troops on its border with Ukraine and has been staging military drills in Belarus, on Ukraine’s northern border. It also has a base in Moldova, effectively encircling Ukraine except at the former Soviet state’s border with Poland.
Sullivan said Russia would try to start a conflict with a “false-flag operation” where, in search for a pretext, it would start an incident and falsely blame it on the Ukrainians to justify military action.
Sullivan said a likely Russian invasion would begin with an aerial bombing and missile attacks and be followed by a ground invasion which would involve the “onslaught of a massive force” and a likely rapid attack on the capital Kyiv.
Sullivan said the United States was ready and would respond with a package of economic sanctions on Russia and military support for Ukraine, as well as boosting NATO’s military presence on the border in Poland, which is a member of NATO while Ukraine is not.
Adding to the sense of urgency, Britain joined with the White House in ordering its citizens to leave Ukraine.
Britain’s advice was issued as Johnson spoke to the leaders of the US, Italy, Poland, Romania, France, Germany, the European Council, the European Commission and NATO in a virtual meeting.
“The Prime Minister told the group that he feared for the security of Europe in the current circumstances,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Credit:Getty Images
Biden first urged citizens to leave Ukraine on Thursday night US time. But Britain waited almost 24 hours to issue the same advice.
“The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have updated our travel advice. We urge British nationals in Ukraine to leave now via commercial means while they remain available,” Britain’s Foreign Office said.
Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.
White House says Russia could invade Ukraine within the week
Source: Philippines Alive
