US concerned Russia is preparing attack on Ukraine

Talks between the United States, its European allies and Russia over the deployment of tens of thousands of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border ended without results this week, without concrete plans to meet again. The cyberattack against Ukraine has further fuelled tensions.

A spokesman for the White House Council for National Security said it was not yet clear who was responsible for the cyberattack, but that President Joe Biden was informed of it.

“We are in contact with Ukrainians and have offered our support as Ukraine investigates about its consequences and nature and takes measures against incidents”, the spokesman said.

President Joe Biden has warned of serious economic consequences for Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin undertakes an intervention in Ukraine. Russia denies plans to attack Ukraine and has asked NATO should halt its eastward expansion and provide security guarantees Russia has proposed. The United States and NATO have rejected the requirements.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the United States is concerned that the Russian government may be preparing for an intervention in Ukraine that could result in widespread human rights violations and war crimes if diplomacy fails to meet its goals. ”

“As part of its plans, Russia is setting the stage for setting up a pretext for invasion, including sabotaged activities and information operations, that it later uses to accuse Ukraine of preparing a close attack on Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. ” said Psaki.

The Russian Army “plans to start these activities several weeks before a military intervention, which could begin between mid-January and mid-February,” said.

The spokeswoman said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin takes such steps, the United States will respond sharply.

“If they decide to engage in negotiations and diplomatic talks, we will be very open and we hope (Moscow) will do so. But after all, there is a choice that belongs to them,” she said.

An American official said the United States has information showing that Russia has already positioned a group of operatives to conduct a provocative operation in eastern Ukraine.

“Operatives are trained in urban warfare and in the use of explosives to commit sabotage acts against pro-Russian forces” said the official, who spoke on condition that it is not identified.

The official also said that the data shows that <x0 sectors of Russian influence efforts have already begun to fabricate provocations in state and social media to justify a Russian intervention and cause divisions in Ukraine. ”

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that starting with the examples of history, these types of activities are unlikely to take place without the knowledge of senior Russian leaders.

Asked whether the US Army will continue to support Ukrainian forces in the event of a Russian invasion, Kirby said: “We have provided and will continue to provide security assistance to Ukraine for its defence. ”/voa