Rising Tensions in Ukraine... US Biden Cancels Delaware Trip Following NSC Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden, judging that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is imminent, convened a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on Sunday, the 20th (local time). President Biden had originally planned to travel to Wilmington, Delaware, where his residence is located, in the afternoon, but he canceled this at the last minute as well. This decision was based on the assessment that the military tension surrounding Ukraine had escalated to a critical point.

The White House stated in a press release that President Biden convened the meeting to discuss recent developments related to Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border.

According to local media such as NBC News, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who had been visiting Europe, were seen entering the White House West Wing just before noon to attend the meeting. A photo of the meeting posted on the White House's official Twitter showed CIA Director William Burns, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and also a nameplate of Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris, who had been visiting Europe to attend the Munich Security Conference, participated in the meeting via video call on her return flight, a White House official reported.

The White House's official statement on the day contained no details beyond the convening of the NSC meeting. After the meeting, President Biden also canceled his trip to Delaware. CNN reported that President Biden was scheduled to depart for Wilmington, Delaware, where his residence is located, around 5 p.m. that day but canceled the trip. Wilmington is a place President Biden often visits for rest on weekends, and Monday the 21st is the national holiday "Presidents' Day."

President Biden's decision to convene the NSC on a Sunday holiday and cancel his trip to Delaware at the last minute is analyzed as reflecting the seriousness of the situation surrounding Ukraine. Russia indefinitely postponed joint military exercises with Belarus, which were originally scheduled to end that day, citing the crisis in the Donbas region as the reason.

CNN, citing U.S. officials, reported that intelligence agencies have confirmed that 120 out of 160 Russian battalion tactical groups (BTGs) are deployed within 60 km of Ukraine. This accounts for 75% of Russia's main combat units. CNN reported that such a concentrated deployment of Russian forces near Ukraine is highly unusual. Including pro-Russian Ukrainian separatists, the number of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border is estimated to be as high as 190,000.

Furthermore, U.S. intelligence agencies have reportedly obtained information that Russian military commanders have been ordered to proceed with the invasion of Ukraine. CBS News' "Face the Nation" reported that Russian forces are moving closer to the Ukrainian border in accordance with these orders, and commanders are formulating specific operations. On the same day, the U.S. Embassy in Russia urged its citizens to prepare evacuation plans.

After the NSC meeting, President Biden also spoke for 15 minutes with French President Emmanuel Macron. The White House confirmed, "President Biden discussed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border during his call with President Macron."

President Macron appears to have shared the results of his earlier phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during this call and discussed countermeasures.

Earlier, President Macron had agreed with President Vladimir Putin to hold a trilateral dialogue within hours. This dialogue will include Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The ?lys?e Palace stated, "President Macron and President Putin agreed to prioritize diplomatic solutions to resolve the current situation."

The United States and Russia are also scheduled to hold a foreign ministers' meeting on the 23rd.

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