As Sullivan stated during an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” “we are in the window.” “Russia could launch military operations against Ukraine at any time, or it could take several weeks, or Russia could choose to pursue a diplomatic solution.”
To discuss the ongoing situation in Eastern Europe, Sullivan appeared on a number of morning news programs.
His public appearances come after two senior U.S. officials stated that Russia has approximately 70% of the combat power it believes it would require to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to Reuters, the number of battalion tactical groups in the border region has increased to 83 from 60 as of Friday, with 14 more in transit.
In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sullivan said, “We believe that the Russians have put in place the capabilities to mount a significant military operation into Ukraine, and we have been working hard to prepare a response.”
Sullivan told NBC that the type of attack could take on a variety of shapes and sizes. Attacks on Ukraine’s Donbas region, cyberattacks, or a full-scale invasion are all possibilities.
We have been working so hard over the last few months not only to prepare for one contingency, but also to prepare for all contingencies, and to collaborate with our allies and partners on what a response would look like in each of those scenarios, according to Sullivan.
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The United States and its allies have made it clear that they will respond aggressively if Russia launches an attack. The United States, for example, has threatened to impose severe sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin launches an invasion.
It is possible that the timetable for diplomatic negotiations is running out.
In an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Sullivan stated that “we believe there is a very distinct possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine.”
According to Reuters, if a full-scale Russian invasion takes place, thousands of civilians and soldiers could perish.
The outlet cited a senior U.S. official that Ukraine could suffer between 5,000 and 25,000 troop casualties.
According to U.S. estimates, Russia’s troop casualties could range between 3,000 and 10,000, and civilian casualties could range between 25,000 and 50,000. It would also result in the displacement of millions of Ukrainians.
Sullivan did not comment on the projections on Sunday, but he did warn of the consequences for Ukraine.
When they choose to escalate instead, Ukrainians will bear an enormous human toll. But, we believe, it will come at a real strategic cost to Vladimir Putin in the long run,” Sullivan told ABC.
