A State Department official said Friday that “all options” are on the table on how to respond to Russia’s alleged troop build-up near its border with Ukraine and that the US will decide with NATO next week on what steps to take.
“As you can appreciate, all options are on the table and there’s a toolkit that includes a whole range of options,” Karen Donfried, the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, told reporters.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Latvia on Monday, where he will attend the NATO foreign ministerial. “It’s now for the alliance to decide what are the next moves that NATO wants to take,” Donfried said.
For weeks now, the US has been warning that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine. But Russia strongly denies the claim and insists that any military movement within its own borders is not meant as a threat. Amid the tensions, the US has been very vocal about its support for Ukraine. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan assured his Ukrainian counterpart Friday of Washington’s “ironclad support” for Kyiv.
Also on Friday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Russia of consequences if it moves on Ukraine. “If Russia uses force against Ukraine that will have costs, that would have consequences,” he said.
Russian officials have pointed to the increase in US and NATO activity in the region as the source of tensions. In the Black Sea, there has been a regular presence of US warships that operate alongside NATO allies. On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said US bombers rehearsed a nuclear strike on Russia this month, and some of the planes came within 12.4 miles of Russia’s border.
The Biden administration is reportedly considering sending military advisors and more weapons to Ukraine, a move that would inflame tensions with Russia even more. The potential weapons package could include new Javelin anti-tank missiles, mortars, and stinger missiles.
It is to laugh. NATO has run 14 or so war games about a confrontation between NATO and Russia – and NATO lost every one of them. NATO – if not EU politicians – is well aware that it cannot confront Russia in Ukraine. The US Pentagon – if not the mentally deficient Biden – also understands that.
Kiev may try to start a war with Russia. If so, Ukraine will cease to exist as a state. Despite the negative press and toothless sanctions Russia will suffer over that, it will be a net benefit for Russia as Ukraine will no longer be an issue distracting Russia from other matters. The EU will secretly like to “bury” the issue as well, even as they mouth condemnations of Russia. The US will also secretly enjoy not having to bother with Ukraine any more, either (depending on whether Biden wants his son to profit any further.)
“Ukraine will no longer be an issue distracting Russia” -Ukraine will always be an issue, the same as other neighbours.
No matter what Ukrainian government is going to do, it is very much unlikely, Russia will invade Ukraine. In case Ukraine starts massive attack on DNR and LNR, Russia will destroy Ukrainian capacity to carry on with the war. Russia can do it easy from the air. Two hours should be enough.
There can be different scenarios what happens next. DNR and LNR armies will retaliate, but it is unclear how far they could go. Most likely, only the administrative borders of their own regions, which is at the moment occupied by Ukrainian military. In case of the massive support of the population of Ukrainian south-east, they might mover further. But hardly they or Russia would like to have the responsibility of the disastrous zone which is now Ukraine.
Yes, Russia can simply destroy the Ukrainian offensive from Russia’s own
territory – but that is not a “final” – or even long-lasting –
solution.
They won’t have to bear any responsibility for Ukraine. Russia can destroy the Ukrainian state – then go home. No occupation, no responsibility for anything. Same for the republics. If Russia destroys the neo-Nazi battalions and disarms the Ukrainian army, Ukraine will be unable to do anything for years, especially once their transit state fees stop coming from Russia this coming year. It will be a failed state taking a decade to recover.
Ukrainian military capacity is modernised by US. If all the military infrastructure destroyed, they will build it again. The only hope for any improvement in Ukraine is the disastrous economic situation and the poverty of the people. The people can loose the patience and bring somehow different politicians to the power. By the way, the current Ukrainian president was elected with over 70% support because his election campaign rhetoric was opposite to what he is doing now. He wasn’t a politician, he was a comic actor. Also he played a role of president of Ukraine in one very much popular film. So people were cheated.
Ukraine military’s modernisation is minimal compared to Russia and even the Donbass militias. The weapons supplied by the US (antitank missiles) are primarily defensive. If Russia destroys *and disarms* the Ukraine military in the next war, the US won’t bother to rebuild them because 1) Ukraine can’t afford to pay for a completely rebuilt military, and 2) it will take a decade or more to rebuild them.
In which case, Russia will rinse and repeat.
Well aware of how Zelensky came to power. I don’t know how much of the Western Ukraine population is prepared to put aside their hatred of Russia to get rid of the oligarchs and comedians running their government. But I agree that’s the only solution. I just don’t hold out much hope of it actually happening. Perhaps a thorough Russian defeat of the existing regime will help, perhaps it will merely stimulate more hatred.
Either way, the point is that Russian can decisively put an end to the military threat to Russians in east Ukraine – and they should do so if Ukraine starts another war.
Putin told that in case of full scale offensive against DNR and LNR, Ukraine will loose her statehood.
It looks for the politicians in Washington, more important to organize a war no matter what outcome. If it happens, they can press EU to stop the economic cooperation with Russia. That is the real goal. Everyone knows – Ukraine can’t win the war against Russia.
Except Russia doesn’t care any more whether the EU cooperates with Russia economically. China and Central Asia and pretty much everyone else will. The EU will only hurt themselves if they break ties with Russia economically.
So far EU is the major trade partner of Russia. Particular good economic cooperation Russia has with Germany. Of course, neither Russia, nor Germany want break economic ties. So far, Germany managed to resist American pressure, but after the last elections, The Greens, which are pro-American, became stronger and if Americans organize a proper provocation in Ukraine, they can shift the balance to their favour. Definitely the new sanctions will damage both Germany and Russia. That is exactly what Americans and Brits want: keep Germany down and Russia out.
Agreed. Although any sanctions on Russia are likely to not be that significant, as any revenues lost can be shifted to Asia and Central Asia eventually.
Ukraine is already unstable, ungovernable and unable to defend itself and the West is making it worse by its support which will fail.
Being unable to defend itself is exactly to the benefit of Russia. Without the ability to threaten Donbass, Russia doesn’t have to bother about Ukraine. Which is why if Ukraine starts the war now, Russia needs to finish the situation decisively and insure a period of quiet by disarming the Ukrainian military entirely.
Why does Donbass matter to Ukrainians?
I enjoyed your summation immensely!
Makes loads of sense. One problem, Zelensky is Israeli citizen. Ukrainian oligarchs, Israeli citizens, will keep him in power no matter what. They have collectively imprisoned on trumped up charges most leading political candidates, closed all disobedient media — in short, a dictatorship. This ruling elite panders to far right, Nazi sympathizers since WWII, in order to keep majority scared and obedient.
But the consequences are toxic. Far right and unrepentant Nazis are split — some are convinced he will return Donbas and Crimea, and are indulging in fantasies of US helping them achieve this, other far right demographics hate him because of his ethnicity, and do not trust him at all. They believe that he will sell them to Russia sooner or later. Anti-Semitism in sharply on the rise.
He was elected by majority of Russian vote as he promised to solve the problem with Russia.
Now, that electorate is disillusioned, and growing number anti-Semitic, believing that as a citizen of Israel he was going to do what US tells him,
It is a very unstable country utterly splintered by this president. Another dynamics is the growing support for Russia in regions with large Russian population outside Donbas. Those regions initially supported coup in Kyiv and were enamored by EU and closeness with the West. Many Russians believed stories of prosperity that awaits them by choosing Europe over Russia. That population, including a growing number of Ukrainians — no longer see European future any time soon. And many are now working in Russia. The Westernmost part of Ukraine would stick with West no matter what, being once part of Western influence, Polish and Austro-Hungarian.
Ukraine may end up tearing itself apart, as there is no chance a uniting leadership
emerging, Whatever center exists, and I do not see it — cannot hold,
It is this Middle East angle that will prevent any rational solution. It is rather primitive, but it is Syria for Ukraine.
Not only will not work — there is still plenty of chess to be played in the region. By now even the most dense have grasped the meaning of past moves (Russia-Turkey in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Qatar. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Pakistan), indicating what the newest moves may portend (Turkey and Ukraine, Turkey-Saudi Arabia, Turkey UAE).
Middle East has started to calm and all actors are talking to each other, eliminating all local props in “all options” on Iran. Really the only option now is stand-alone Israel on Iran.
As I said, many more chess moves to be played in the Middle East. Ukraine is Israel’s pawn in the game. In a dwindling number of pieces available to Israel, this pawn is valuable.
“One problem, Zelensky is Israeli citizen.”
You’ve made that claim before.
I’ve asked you to provide evidence for it before.
You didn’t.
You’re making it again.
I’m asking you to provide evidence for it again.
Just relating verbatim what is happening in Ukraine, so why pretend otherwise.
Ukraine is a nut job, anything goes.
There is RAPIDLY rising anti- semitism in Ukraine, and this is what is loudly being banded about. And worse. Much worse.
I cannot be the only one to follow Ukrainian media? Our darling democracy. Biden invited them to his gathering of democracies.
The place is toxic.
The silence on the issue is deafening.
I got the attention. Now can we check out Ukraine?
PJ London
13 days ago
Ukraine is the drunken uncle at the family picnic.
Nobody wants him there. He is an embarrassment, he was supposed to behave properly once invited but instead he stole the silverware, started a fight with your brother, stepped on and killed the cat, is begging for money and yet because you invited him, you can’t just tell him to go away.
The US and Germany would love Russia to take over Ukraine and would not lift a finger to stop it (They would shout a lot and use it as an excuse to put in more sanctions, but would be greatly relieved not to have the Ukies as a problem any longer)
Russia would not touch it with a bargepole. They need another penniless and broken territory as much as they need a pandemic.
Hungary would like a portion of the western farmlands and if forced by circumstances Russia would take the land East of the Dnieper to protect the Russian speakers.
The centre would be left to the Kievan politicians and the Azov crazies.
When Nordstream opens, Ukraine closes.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin won’t even think of starting WW III until NATO troops have been fully “vaccinated.” I sense a disconnect.
This gig is a ways off.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10248833/Russia-starts-scale-production-unstoppable-6-670mph-Zircon-hypersonic-missile.html
What everyone needs to remember, but everyone seems to have forgotten: world war has not been an option since the dawn of the atomic age. We are following the perilous pattern of history.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/
Wow. Using the term “all options are on the table” with someone with those same options on their own table. That’s usually reserved for countries that, in essence, are defenseless. Maybe Karen didn’t get the memo from Tony.
Thank you for putting a smile on my face!
The curse of obama continues; obama installed his vicious harpies, nuland, hillary, power, jarrett, rice, who have been remarkable in their smug arrogance, only exceeded by their mindless incompetence.
Now we have all options on the table wanna be in the same mold. remarkably delusional, remarkably uninformed as to the consequences of her bombast.
Why is the State Department making statements like the Department of Offense?
Is Donfried the new and unimproved Nuland?
Otherwise, this is just nonsensical narrative building … Any actual “war” in the area will be short and sad for the non Russia side.
It’s used to justify increased US defense spending.
https://english.pravda.ru/news/russia/149739-russian_submarine/
Russian submarines have left their Pacific locations to move to alert duty.
Let me guess. Russia strongly suspects that Ukraine will soon become a NATO partner and if that happens Russian forces will pour into Ukraine. But as of now Russian forces are not a threat.
Correct. However, NATO can’t except Ukraine because NATO rules say it can’t accept any country with an ongoing civil war. And the EU doesn’t want Ukraine’s dismal economy connected to it.
This is why the US and the EU keeps saying it’s all Russia’s fault – to cover up the fact that it’s entirely a Ukraine matter. Unfortunately, the Minsk agreements became a matter of international law as a result of a UN Resolution, so they’re stuck.
Which is why Zelensky is desperately trying to get a “summit” with Putin, so he can drag Russia into a negotiation to break the Minsk agreement. Which isn’t going to happen as Putin has refused to speak to him and will continue to do so.
As long as Ukraine doesn’t adhere to Minsk, they’re screwed.
All options on the table equals nukes, bioweapons and other scary options, helluva toolkit.
out of control
Some prophecy is self fulfilling. This might be one.
The US behavior in Ukraine is the primary motive behind Putin’s behavior. Ukraine by itself is relatively harmless to Putin’s interests, but the US inserting itself is a gigantic problem in his view as he has explained that view repeatedly for years.
What might it look like if American hawks get their war in Ukraine?
Russia can occupy and annex the Russian speaking Eastern part.
The Western part is hostile to the Russians. They could then give it the Israeli treatment seen on the West Bank. We’d see ethnic cleansing with mass migration into the EU. The depopulated Western areas are mostly rural and agricultural, which are things Russia knows how to do.
Ukraine could not just disappear, but be destroyed as we know it. The EU could not just be faced with a war it won’t fight, but with more of the mass migration that has upset its internal politics inside nations and between them.
This could be not just bad, but total disaster.
As for a “win?” What could that look like? It is so unlikely it is hard to describe.
Even if we make it through this crisis, we still have 3 years to survive Victoria Nuland’s relentless handiwork to destroy the world. Her queen sister Neocon, HRC, is chirping for 2024. Trump is still looming in the background–not that other Republicans are much better. It’s an unending nightmare.
”
It’s an unending nightmare.”…….Well stated…..
Clinton got a reprieve when Biden won. Trump too. The bar is set at 78. Now it will be a matter of who can remember 5 words in a row.
This is a ridiculous joke. For seven years the USA/Nato have interfered in Ukraine, overthrowing the elected government, sanctioning Russia for taking Crimea back after a referendum (most people are Russian speakers), pretending that Ukraine was a victim as it refused to follow its agreement in 2015 to have talks with the eastern Donbass region. Providing weapons, enticing Ukraine to claim it is under attack from Russia does NOT help anyone solve the crisis.
nato was created to confront the warsaw pact. The warsaw pact is gone,nato has tripled and has no real purpose but terrorism
Yes. NATO = the Nefarious American Terrorist Operation.
“All Options on the Table”
A euphemistic fable
dressed up in mink and sable:
America unable
t o act. Just point and label.
Glued to a TV cable,
a “country” hardly stable.
Michael Murry, “The Misfortuneteller,” copyright 2021
NATO is providing opportunities for Russia to including Ukraine to United States of Russia just like recently take over another country without firing single shot.
Dealing China would be a piece of 🍰
Dealing Russians would be like Afghanistan withdrawal of American troops only more costly and more embarrassing,but, upside is ( yes there is upside) balance of power that’s maintained until end of the times,
They have a toolkit, lol!!
What a joke. Whose army is on the wrong side of the world?
Wonder if any US soldiers and sailors have pondered the existential question: “Am I willing to die for Biden and NATO?”
Wof crying season in full swing. All that endkess atrention on Covid abd China bashing. the Euros could have justifiably concluded that the Russia bogeyman thing was over. So true to form, whip up the imminent war fervour. Works every time.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/df8c48d65a2adf00735b76f9256baa980faa835f3af38f734bc9acf46b881cd1.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a6443674858b542e0c3cbcbe63e81549320515bef49a4ecdfd9ad0cc49214118.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8a950d2e667c2c4f6b9dc041404926a62ae10f38a868d0ac53d5ca8b1a57af2b.jpg
Oh yeah Latvia… One of the NATO GNOMES! Not quite a suprepower. Perhaps THEY would like to lead the charge, fire the first shot. Probably not. They don’t want Russia to invade them I bet, OR make an example of them with a tactical n- strike. Especially one of those 100 megaton cobalt jacketed numbers they have produced for their robot subs. Stoltenberg & Biden are apt to find that none of the GNOMES will want to get their fingerprints on any of these “all the options”, especially the 1s bordering the bear. They would like protection, not threats of taking the gloves off. Any gloves action won’t go well for the push- over GNOMES priximo Russia. Ditto for the inhabitants of the non pushover GNOMES capitals, Paris and London are the only ones that are sure to go if any one losses their cool. How this would effect the U.S. is unclear, but probably, not well. Stay tuned for more madness & macho…!!!!!!!