President Joe Bidden has released a warning on the Americans in Ukraine as Russia starts to bully again.
President Joe Biden has issued a warning to any Americans who remain in Ukraine amid tensions between Moscow and Kiev, saying that sending US troops for an evacuation would mean “world war” as Russia continues to threaten an invasion.
In an interview with the NBC News anchor, Lester Holt, Biden said: “American citizens should leave now. It’s not like we’re dealing with a terrorist organization. We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It’s a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.”
When the President was asked about what necessary scenario is needed for the US troops to enter Ukraine to evacuate the Americans, Biden said: “There’s not. That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another.”
On the other hand, the US State Department already issued a new advisory urging Americans in Ukraine to leave the country earliest possible and strengthening earlier warnings that will urge its citizens to consider such action.
On local time on Thursday, the advisory said: “Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19; those in Ukraine should depart now via commercial or private means.”
“If remaining in Ukraine increased exercise caution due to crime, civil unrest, and potential combat operations should Russia take military action, some areas have increased risk,” it added.
The State Department authorized the evacuation of US diplomats’ family members and direct-hire employees, they also recommended that US citizens who were present in Ukraine should consider departing right away due to the unpredictable security situation.
Last February 5, Polish media reported that the 1st group of American soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Poland, following Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby’s announcement about 1,700 additional troops from the United States to be sent to the country.
Kirby said that the US will temporarily deploy additional forces to Europe amid the escalating tensions with Russia. The deployment includes 1,700 soldiers to be sent to Poland and 1000 US personnel based in Germany will be relocated to Romania and another 8,500 troops will remain ready to move if called for the NATO response force.
According to a U.S. military and intelligence assessment, the Russian military could launch a full-scale invasion, with tanks that potentially could reach Kyiv, the capital, within 48 hours.
President Joe Biden argued that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is “foolish enough to go in, he’s smart enough not to do anything that would negatively impact on American citizens.”
Biden would host a virtual meeting on Ukraine with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, the European Union, NATO, Italy, Romania, and Poland. The White House said the leaders would “discuss our shared concerns about Russia’s continued build-up of military forces around Ukraine and continued coordination on both diplomacy and deterrence.”
When Biden was vice president in 2014, Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula and then annexed the territory from Ukraine following a disputed referendum. Putin’s government also allegedly supports a pair of pro-Russia breakaway states in eastern Ukraine.
Biden this week threatened to penalize Russia by blocking the operation of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, which is poised to begin piping fuel directly to Germany rather than through Ukraine.