Anonymous “Western and defense officials” are telling journos that the U.S. believes Russian President Vladamir Putin “has decided to invade Ukraine, and has communicated that decision to the Russian military”:
NEW: The US believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine, and has communicated that decision to the Russian military, three Western and defense officials tell me.
— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) February 11, 2022
They also believe the invasion will “begin next week”:
The US expects the invasion to begin next week, six US and Western officials tell me, as Secretary of State Antony @SecBlinken said last night.
— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) February 11, 2022
The possible goal of the invasion would be regime change in Ukraine:
US officials anticipate a horrific, bloody campaign that begins with two days or aerial bombardment and electronic warfare, followed by an invasion, with the possible goal of regime change.
— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) February 11, 2022
This means an invasion “could happen BEFORE the end of the Olympics”:
NEW: Last night there was a Situation Room meeting on Russia's continued military build-up on the border w Ukraine. And, as Sec. Blinken has recently implied, the administration believes "we are now in the window where an invasion could happen BEFORE the end of the Olympics."
— Ashley Parker (@AshleyRParker) February 11, 2022
Secretary of State Tony Blinken warned last night that “an invasion could begin at any time”:
"We're in a window when an invasion could begin at any time. And, to be clear, that includes during the Olympics," Secretary Blinken says after a day of meetings in Australia. President Biden is expected to have calls with European and NATO leaders today.https://t.co/WBrpfsn8Ha
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 11, 2022
However, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pushed back on these reports and denied that Putin had made the final decision to invade:
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says there is a "very distinct possibility" Russia will launch a major military operation against Ukraine before the end of the Olympics. But denies reports the US believes Putin has made a final decision yet.
— Patrick Reevell (@Reevellp) February 11, 2022
Watch:
SULLIVAN: "We are firmly convinced that the Russians…are looking hard at the creation of a pretext, a false flag operation…" pic.twitter.com/9lV6UOn6c3
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 11, 2022
He did warn Americans to leave Ukraine in the next “24 to 48 hours”:
National Security Adviser @JakeSullivan46: "Any American in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible, and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours." So much for not hitting the panic button.
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) February 11, 2022
Oh, and if you don’t leave Ukraine, you’re on your own:
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House urges Americans to leave Ukraine in next '24 to 48 hours,' warns US won't rescue civilians if Russia invades.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 11, 2022
Welp:
24-48 hours for Americans to leave Ukraine. The US is not planning for a rescue@mission inside Ukraine and Americans who stay assume risk. https://t.co/sv2LQzfiXs
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) February 11, 2022
Update:
"The president will not be putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at risk by sending them into a war zone to rescue people who could have left now, but chose not to," Sullivan says, making it clear the U.S. military will NOT extract citizens left in Ukraine
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) February 11, 2022
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Editor’s note: This post has been updated.
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