UPDATE: Ukraine president walks back statement that Russia will attack Wednesday. A previous tweet saying President Zelenskyy heard Russia would attack his country on Feb. 16 has been deleted.
Hours after issuing a global statement saying he heard Russia would attack his country on Feb. 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked back the prediction on Monday, clarifying that he was referring only to media reports.“We are told that February 16 will be the day of the attack,” Zelenskyy said in a video statement posted on Facebook.
However, after his comments were taken by many at face value, his spokesman, Sergii Nykyforov, said that the president, who is a former comedian, was only saying what has been reported elsewhere.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, attends the drills of the Ministry of Internal Affairs during his working trip to the Kherson region.Observers said Zelenskyy appeared to have been sarcastic to those who watched his video.
Russia, which has stationed some 130,000 troops as well as tanks and other military units near Ukraine's borders, denies it is planning to invade its former Soviet republic again."I have ordered these measures for one reason — the safety of our staff — and we strongly urge any remaining U.S. citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately," Blinken said.
In an interview on MSNBC, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Monday that there is “a very small number of people” in the embassy and warned that the U.S. would not be able to keep Americans safe amid an invasion. “So, we want to make sure that we get Americans out of Ukraine because if the invasion comes, you know, we don’t really have any way to protect them,” Smith said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden tells Zelenskyy U.S. will respond 'swiftly and decisively' if Russia invades UkrainePresident Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone Sunday, reaffirming that the U.S. and its allies would respond 'swiftly and decisively' if Russia decides to invade the country.
Read more »
Hungary warns of refugee influx if Russia invades UkraineHungary’s PM Viktor Orban opposes EU’s “sanctions, punitive policies” against Moscow, warns of a potential refugee influx into Europe that could harm nation’s interests, economy if Russia invades Ukraine
Read more »
A Russia-Ukraine war would mean global energy shockIf Russia invades Ukraine the global energy markets could face a supply crunch not seen since the 1970s.
Read more »
Airlines Weigh Service to Kyiv as Russia-Ukraine Tensions MountDutch national flag carrier KLM halted all flights to Kyiv and said it won’t operate in Ukrainian airspace—the first major carrier to announce a halt in service as tensions between Russia and the West mount over Ukraine.
Read more »
Euro Forecast: EUR/USD on Edge Over Russia-Ukraine Risks, Lagarde Cools ECB Hike BetsThe Euro is increasingly vulnerable despite a hawkish pivot from the ECB earlier this month. Russia-Ukraine tensions risk destabilizing the single currency as Lagarde plays down hawkish bets. Get your weekly Euro forecast from ddubrovskyFX here:
Read more »
Germany's Scholz warns Russia of immediate sanctions if Ukraine attackedGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday warned Russia of immediate sanctions and 'hard reactions' if it attacks Ukraine, maintaining a tough tone ahead of a meeting this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Read more »