By ANI
WASHINGTON: The United States will neither engage in hostilities in Ukraine nor establish a no-fly zone over the country, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told the CNN broadcaster.
“Well, the President’s [Joe Biden] been very clear about the fact that we won’t have troops engaged in combat with Russia and Ukraine in order to affect or put into place a no fly zone,” Austin said.
“We’d have to control the skies and that would mean that we’d have to engage Russian aircraft we’d also have to take out Russian and aircraft and aircraft systems in Ukraine, in Belarus, and also in Russia. So that would mean that we’re in combat with Russia. And these are two nuclear powered countries. That nobody wants to see. It’s not good for the region. It’s not good for the world,” Austin added.
The United States is still concerned about China providing military support to Russia even after President Joe Biden spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, on Friday to discourage him from aiding Moscow in its military operation in Ukraine, said White House spokesperson Jen Psaki.
“We have that concern. The President detailed what the implications and consequences would be if China provides material support to Russia,” Psaki said when asked whether the Biden administration is still concerned Beijing might help Russia, reported Sputnik.
“That is something we will be watching and the world will be watching,” Psaki said.
Biden on Friday held a video call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and warned China of implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia.
“President Biden detailed our efforts to prevent and then respond to the invasion, including by imposing costs on Russia. He described the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians,” a White House readout informed.
Xi said, “As leaders of major countries, we (China and the US) need to think about how to properly address global hotspot issues and, more importantly, keep in mind global stability and the work and life of billions of people,” as quoted by Xinhua.
Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed that a diplomatic solution to the present conflict in Ukraine is the most desirable outcome as of now.
On the question of Taiwan, Biden reiterated that U.S. policy on Taiwan has not changed, and emphasized that the United States continues to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo, the readout said.
Xi spoke sharply on the question of Taiwan saying that some people in the U.S. have sent a wrong signal on the issue of Taiwanese independence, adding that “this is very dangerous.”
Amid Russia’s plan to transfer their troops from Armenia to support offensive against Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a video on Saturday, saying that he wants a serious conversation with Moscow as “the time has come to restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine”.
“I want everyone to hear me now, especially (those) in Moscow. The time has come for a meeting; it is time to talk,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.
Zelenskyy also accused Moscow in the video of blocking the humanitarian assistance in the war-torn cities of Ukraine, stating that “this is a deliberate tactic..”.
Al Jazeera further quoted Zelenskyy saying that “Russia will have to answer for it (the blocking of humanitarian assistance…”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian armed forces said that Russia will be transferring their troops from Armenia, according to the Ukraine media outlet, The Kyiv independent.
Russia planned to deploy their troops from the 102nd Russian military base in Armenia to support its offensive against Ukraine, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Earlier on Friday Zelenskyy spoke to European Council President Charles Michel and discussed further strengthening of support to the war-torn country and also the membership of the European Union (EU) for Ukraine
“Discussed with President of the Council Charles Michel @eucopresident further support to (Ukraine) in countering (Russian) aggression, strengthening the anti-war coalition, prospects for restoring peace in (Ukraine). Special attention was paid to our movement towards membership in the #EU,” Zelenskyy said in a tweet.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and discussed the issue of the growing number of civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict while talking about the efforts to bring an end to the war.
The developments came amidst the scheduled visit of US President Joe Biden to Brussels on March 24 to attend an extraordinary NATO summit as well as participate in a European Council Summit.
On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help in defending themselves.
Russia has been facing immense pressure from the international community to stop its military operations in Ukraine which has created an immense humanitarian crisis with thousands of refugees from Ukraine fleeing to the neighbouring countries to the West.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday (local time) held a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and discussed the growing number of civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict while talking about the efforts to bring an end to the war.
“Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Kuleba discussed the growing number of civilian casualties caused by President Putin’s brutal and unjustified war of choice. The Secretary commended the incredible courage and fierce determination of the Ukrainian people as they defend their country against Russian forces who have shown little regard for human life,” a US State Department readout said.
Secretary of State Blinken also reaffirmed “the United States’ steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and reiterated the American support through assistance.
“The Secretary reiterated robust U.S. support for the people of Ukraine through security, humanitarian, and economic assistance,” the readout said.
“Spoke with @SecBlinken on efforts to bring an end to Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and multiple war crimes. To this end, it is crucial to further strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, apply more pressure on Russia, and use all available diplomatic tools,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba tweeted.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel discussing further support to Ukraine in the ongoing war.
In a video address on the same day, Zelenskyy commented on the Ukrainian-Russian talks on a possible ceasefire, “It is time to meet. It is time to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, the justice for Ukraine,” Sputnik reported.
The developments come amidst the scheduled visit of US President Joe Biden to Brussels on March 24 to attend an extraordinary NATO summit as well as participate in a European Council Summit.
