Despite Moscow’s claims, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the US had seen no evidence of a large Russian military pullout from Ukraine’s borders.
“Unfortunately, there is a disconnect between what Russia says and what it does, and we’re seeing no meaningful withdrawal,” he told ABC News.
“On the contrary, we continue to see forces, especially forces that would be in the vanguard of any renewed aggression against Ukraine, continuing to be at the border, to mass at the border.”
Blinken called the threat of an invasion “real” and reiterated Washington’s call for Russia to de-escalate the situation.
“President Putin has put in place the capacity to act on very short notice,” the top US diplomat said.
“He can pull the trigger — he could pull it today. He could pull it tomorrow. He could pull it next week. The forces are there if he wants to renew aggression against Ukraine.”
Blinken stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving the crisis, but added: “Diplomacy is something we’re prepared for. We’re all set for a fight. In any case, we’re ready.”
