[Summary] US Secretary of State: "Russia May Launch Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine Tonight"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United States warned that Russia could launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine before the day changes. This comes just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine and ordered a military advance.

On the 23rd (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken stated in an interview with NBC that "Russia could invade Ukraine before the end of tonight." When asked if he believed the invasion would occur before tonight ends, Blinken replied, "Yes."

He confirmed, "Russia has deployed troops across the northern, eastern, and southern borders of Ukraine," adding, "I cannot specify the exact time and place, but all preparations for the invasion have been completed." This timeline is even earlier than the statement made by senior U.S. officials earlier that day, who said Russia could launch a full-scale invasion within 48 hours.

In an interview with ABC News on the same day, Blinken said, "I cannot disclose specific numbers of Russian troops," but emphasized, "What we have seen over the past 24 to 48 hours is Russia finalizing troop deployments along all Ukrainian borders to the north, east, and south." He stressed, "We have definitely seen Russian troops inside Ukraine," and urged, "We must prepare for a full-scale invasion."

When asked whether President Putin would be directly sanctioned, he suggested the possibility by saying, "Everything is in place," and "If Russia moves, we will review all steps to take reciprocal actions." Regarding diplomatic solutions, he said, "There is always room," but added, "Russia must show seriousness about diplomacy." He also noted that recent actions have been moving in exactly the opposite direction.

In an interview with CBS Evening News, Blinken expressed hope that additional sanctions could prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from deciding on a full-scale invasion. He stated, "If Russia continues to escalate tensions and invades Ukraine, we have made it clear that we will expand sanctions beyond what we are already doing," adding, "We hope it will serve as a deterrent."

He further warned, "If they do not, Russia will face severe consequences," calling it "a price that President Putin and Russia will pay for a long time." When questioned about the notion that a Russian invasion would represent a failure of U.S. diplomacy, he dismissed it by saying, "Diplomacy has been very effective in uniting the world, the U.S., and Europe against Russia."

As Russian forces are understood to have completed preparations for invasion, Ukraine declared a state of emergency that day. U.S. President Joe Biden imposed additional sanctions on ‘Nord Stream 2,’ the natural gas pipeline transporting gas to Europe. These sanctions effectively target the Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom.

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