Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs the press from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2021. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders).
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON – PENTAGON – Although the Pentagon has some 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert amid rising tensions over a potential Russian military invasion on Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there is still time for Moscow to chose diplomacy. Secretary of Defense Austin and Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley held a press briefing with reporters Friday at the Pentagon to give an update on where things stand on the Russia-Ukraine situation. Defense Secretary Austin said conflict can be avoided if Moscow takes the diplomatic route to resolve the stand-off with Ukraine. The top Pentagon officials “strongly” encouraged Russia to stand down and to pursue a resolution through diplomacy.
“First, conflict is not inevitable. There is still time and space for diplomacy. The United States, in lockstep with our allies and partners, has offered Russia a path away from crisis and toward greater security, and the Department of Defense will continue to support those diplomatic efforts.”
-Defense Secretary Austin
Tensions reached a boiling point this week with the Pentagon’s placing 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert as the U.S. gauged military action against Russia. “The United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us, our allies, or partners,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said after the announcement of troops put on alert. While Russian President Putin has yet to order a military move on Ukraine, Defense Secretary Austin said Putin clearly now has that capability and there are multiple options available to him, including the seizure of cities and significant territories, but also, coercive acts or provocative political acts like the recognition of breakaway territories.
“So this is something that we’re taking very seriously both as a strong partner of Ukraine and as one of 30 members of NATO. We’re unified in opposition to Russia’s attempts to undermine those core values that threaten peace and security in Europe,”
-Defense Secretary Austin
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, brief media members at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2022. (DoD photo by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Taryn Sammet)
Russia Will Incur Significant Economic and Diplomatic Costs and a United NATO Response if It Moves on Ukraine – Pentagon
“As we’ve made clear, in addition to the significant economic and diplomatic costs that Russia will incur, a move on Ukraine will accomplish the very thing Russia says it does not want — a NATO alliance strengthened and resolved on its Western Flank. The United States will contribute to NATO’s response forces and we will coordinate with our NATO allies, we will make sure that they have the capabilities that they need to defend themselves. Article 5 is clear on this point — an attack against one NATO member is an attack against us all. And as President Biden has said, the United States holds this as a sacred obligation and we will do right by that commitment.”
-Defense Secretary Austin
Pentagon Chief Urges Putin To Do The “Right Thing”
“And Mr. Putin can do the right thing, as well. There’s no reason that this situation has to devolve into conflict. He can choose to deescalate, he can order his troops away, he can choose dialogue and diplomacy. Whatever he decides, the United States will stand with our allies and partners,” Austin said.
The Russian Federation has amassed upwards, at this time, of over 100,000 ground forces, air forces, naval forces, special forces, cyber, electronic warfare, command and control, logistics, engineers and other capabilities along the Ukraine border, Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Milley told reporters Friday.
U.S. Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Milley (Photo: DOD)
“Ukraine has the right to be independent and they have been an independent country since 1991. Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, with the United States and Great Britain, that guaranteed the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. It’s the policy of the United States government to continue to support an independent Ukraine and their goals, and we are continuing our effort to enhance their ability to protect themselves. We strongly encourage Russia to stand down and to pursue a resolution through diplomacy. Armed force should always be the last resort. Success here is through dialogue.”
–Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Milley
