WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Thursday the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is “very excessive” however the door to a diplomatic answer remained open.
Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House, Biden stated there was “every indication we have is that they are prepared to go into Ukraine” and there was no plan for him to carry a name with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Asked how excessive the threat of Russian invasion was in the meanwhile, Biden stated, “It’s very excessive.”
He stated Russia had not moved again its forces from the Ukrainian border and the United States had cause to consider Russia was engaged in a false flag operation that Moscow would use to justify an invasion.
But he stated a diplomatic answer remained doable, which is why he had requested Secretary of State Antony Blinken to go to the United Nations to make an announcement on Thursday.
“He’ll lay out what that path is,” he stated.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Writing by Katharine Jackson; modifying by Susan Heavey)
