Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded proof from the United States after White House officials warned that Russia could invade the former Soviet country later this month.
“There has been too much information about a full-scale war with Russia–even specific dates have been announced,” Zelensky told reporters on Feb. 12.
“We understand there are risks. If you have any additional information regarding the 100 percent guaranteed invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 16 February, please give it to us,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelensky also cautioned against such warnings of a potential imminent invasion which he said is creating panic in his country and reiterated that Ukraine’s wish, first and foremost, is to deescalate tensions.
He noted, however, that such information needs to be analyzed “very carefully.”
“If you look at the disposition of forces, both in Belarus and in Russia on the other side of the Ukrainian border from the north and from the east, the Russians are in a position to be able to mount a major military action into Ukraine any day now,” said Sullivan in a press briefing on Feb. 11.
However, Sullivan stressed that the Biden administration is “not saying that a ... final decision has been taken by President Putin.”
“What we are saying is that we have a sufficient level of concern, based on what we are seeing on the ground and what our intelligence analysts have picked up, that we are sending this clear message. And it remains a message that we have now been sending for some time. And it is—yes, it is an urgent message because we are in an urgent situation,” Sullivan said.
The White House has also encouraged all Americans currently in Ukraine to leave the country as tensions at the Russia–Ukraine border escalate.
Americans currently in Ukraine have been asked to contact the U.S. embassy in Kyiv if they need financial or logistical help to leave.
The White House national security adviser did not provide further details regarding the alleged potential imminent invasion.
Russia denies that it plans to invade Ukraine and has asked the United States and its allies to deny Ukraine and other former Soviet nations membership into NATO.
In the meantime, Russia has amassed around 100,000 troops situated near Ukraine’s eastern borders.
“We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now—that includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics,” Sullivan said.
During a Feb. 13 phone call between Zelensky and President Joe Biden, the Ukrainian president invited Biden to visit Kyiv in a move he believes would help deescalate and stabilize the situation with Russia.
Zelensky also noted the steps taken by the United States and other partners to provide Ukraine with effective support.
“We feel it. And we hope that, among other things, it will help prevent the spread of panic,” said Zelensky.
