Concerns Over Russia's Invasion of Ukraine... US Announces "Unprecedented Sanctions" · Ukraine Warns "No One Is Safe"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Amid growing concerns over Russia's potential invasion of Ukraine, the United States has warned that if an invasion actually occurs, unprecedented sanctions against Russia will be imposed. Ukraine emphasized that Russia's attack is not merely a conflict between the two countries but an attack on democracy, and it will not end in Ukraine alone.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, appeared on Fox News on the 30th (local time) and said that the U.S. has made it very clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that economic consequences will follow if Russia invades Ukraine.

Kirby further stated, "Once Russia makes the mistake of invading Ukraine, the deterrent effect of war disappears," and reiterated that the economic sanctions against Russia in such a case would be "unprecedented, things we did not even consider in 2014." The year 2014 refers to when Russia forcibly annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.

However, Kirby emphasized, "We do not need to engage in conflict," and added, "We still believe there is room and space for diplomacy. We want to see a resolution here."

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), also appeared on ABC's "This Week" on the same day, stating that the UN Security Council will hold a meeting on the 31st to discuss this issue and pressure Russia. She emphasized, "Our will is united to urge Russia to explain directly. We intend to listen to what they have to say but will not be swayed by propaganda."

Regarding this, Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, said on CBS, "If Ukraine is attacked, no one will be safe," and mentioned, "The reason Putin attacked us in 2014 was not because he wanted Ukraine or simply because of Ukraine. It was because we chose democracy and had aspirations toward the Atlantic and Europe." At that time, Ukraine's efforts to strengthen ties with the West and join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were the trigger.

Ambassador Markarova emphasized, "We do not want to be part of the Soviet Union or the Russian Federation," and added, "We want sovereignty and are fighting for independence." She also claimed, "If Ukraine is attacked, Russia will not stop at Ukraine," arguing that Russia will continue its invasions of other countries and pressured the West for active intervention.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.