US forces ‘not on the table’ for Ukraine_Biden
US President Joe Biden says he has no plans right now to deploy American ground troops in or around Ukraine, where tension is mounting with Russia’s military buildup near the border.
The president was responding on Wednesday to reporters who asked whether he plans to send US ground troops to deter Russia from invading Ukraine.
Biden said, “That is not on the table.” He added, “the idea the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia from invading Ukraine is not on — in the cards right now.”
Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for about two hours in a video call on Tuesday, as the US and European nations grow increasingly wary of Moscow’s intentions.
Biden also revealed what he called good and positive news that “our teams have been in constant contact.”
He said his administration hopes to announce by Friday high-level meetings not just between the US and Russia but with at least four major US allies from NATO taking part.
Putin, for his part, told reporters in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Wednesday that NATO’s expansion eastward would pose a threat to Russia’s national security.
The Russian leader said his government will soon submit its ideas and proposals in this regard to the US. He suggested that the Kremlin will seek a legally binding guarantee in future talks that NATO will not get militarily involved with Ukraine.
