US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin today likened the Russian military to a snake unfolding and preparing to attack Ukraine following the massive mobilization of Russian troops on the border with its neighboring country, which has caused the biggest crisis in relations. West after the Cold War.
In statements made during his visit to Lithuania, Austin agreed with President Biden’s assessment yesterday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine again.
“They are unfolding and preparing to strike,” Austin told a news conference in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, ahead of talks with troubled Baltic leaders.
Austin, a retired Army general, warned that Moscow could invade Ukraine at any time and referred to the types of military capabilities that Moscow has developed near Ukraine.
“Having done this in the past, I can tell you that these are just what you need for an attack and the position you need to have to attack,” he explained.
Moscow, which has amassed tens of thousands of troops near the border with Ukraine and is pressuring the United States and NATO to provide security guarantees, denies plans to attack its neighbor.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis expressed concern that if the Kremlin wants to occupy Ukraine then Moscow could target the Baltic states and Poland.
“The battle for Ukraine is a battle for Europe. If it is not stopped here, it will move forward,” he said, calling for a military strategy in the region to prepare for a Russian offensive to counter it.
Austin vowed that Washington would side with its Baltic allies, but did not comment on Lithuanian calls for more troops.
“I want all the people of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to know – and I want President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin to know – that the United States stands with its allies,” Austin told a news conference in Vilnius afterwards. his conversations with Lithuanian leaders.
Lithuanian President Gitana Nauseda said in a statement before his meeting with Austin: “It is extremely important to strengthen the regional security of the Baltic states with additional US troops and to accelerate cooperation in the field of military procurement.”
Since 2019, the US has been sending alternating teams of about 500 troops and equipment to Lithuania, and in its announcement, the Lithuanian president asked Washington to make this force permanent.
Earlier, Nauseda said Lithuania feared that Europe was “on the brink of war”.
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