Topline
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday said the Biden Administration is no longer referring to a Russian invasion of Ukraine as "imminent," saying it "sent a message that we weren't intending to send" after Ukrainian officials blasted the White House for promoting what it claims is unnecessary alarm.
Key Facts
Psaki said at a press briefing the wording may have caused confusion since it suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin had already decided to invade and military action was simply a matter of timing.
Though it is not clear if Putin has decided one way or the other, Psaki said the White House still believes "he could invade at any time."
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said the American government is overreacting to the threat so far, including its decision to evacuate nonemergency diplomatic employees from Ukraine last month.
Crucial Quote
"They say simply ‘tomorrow there will be war.’ This is panic,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday, criticizing the U.S. and other Western countries' responses.
Key Background
A Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday the U.S. would deploy about 2,000 additional troops to Germany and Poland, with 1,000 troops stationed in Germany repositioning to Romania in an effort to counter the Russian threat and bolster NATO defenses. Around 130,000 Russian troops are believed to be positioned along the Ukrainian border, and intelligence has suggested infrastructure has been put in place to support a potential invasion. The main point of contention is Western leaders' support for Ukraine to enter NATO, which Putin claims poses a serious threat to Russian security. In a news conference Tuesday, Putin said President Joe Biden's refusal to promise Ukraine won't be granted NATO membership could lead to "armed conflict" in the form of a Ukraine invasion.
What To Watch For
Psaki on Monday said the U.S. plans to impose severe economic sanctions on Putin's "inner circle" if Russia invades Ukraine. That could include the likes of Roman Abramovich, Alisher Usmanov and Leonid Mikhelson, who have a combined $58.3 billion net worth.
Further Reading
Ukraine’s president criticizes West’s handling of Russia crisis (Washington Post)
Biden Orders 3,000 Troops To Eastern Europe: Here’s Where They’re Headed (Forbes)
Putin Threatens ‘Military Conflict’ After Accusing U.S. Of Ignoring His Concerns (Forbes)
White House Confirms Plan To Impose Sanctions Against Kremlin’s ‘Inner Circle’ (Forbes)
Meet Putin’s Oligarchs Most Likely To Get Slapped With Sanctions By Biden Over Ukraine (Forbes)
