US President Joe Biden has warned of possible cyber attacks by Russia against US interests or the use of biological or chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Biden told a group of American business leaders Monday night that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not anticipate the degree of unity he would face against Russia’s actions and that “his back is against the wall.”
“Now he’s talking about new false flags he’s putting up, including claims that we in the United States have biological and chemical weapons in Europe, that’s just not true,” Biden said. “They also suggest that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine. It’s a clear signal that she’s considering using both.”
Biden also said Monday that there was “developing information” that the Russian government was exploring “options for potential cyberattacks” against the United States, and urged the private sector to “immediately” strengthen “cyber defenses.” He said Russia could launch such attacks in retaliation for US sanctions against Russia. “It’s part of Russia’s playbook,” he said.
The leaders of the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Britain held a call Monday discussing concerns about Russia’s tactics in Ukraine, its continued support for Ukraine through the provision of security and humanitarian aid Aid underscored and reviewed diplomats’ recent efforts to achieve a ceasefire, the White House said.
Later this week, Biden will attend a NATO summit, a G7 meeting and a European Council summit in Brussels, all focused on the situation in Ukraine, before traveling to Poland.
conversations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told local TV on Monday he was ready to discuss a number of issues with Putin, including Ukraine’s pledge not to join NATO as part of efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
“It’s a compromise for everyone: for the West, which doesn’t know what to do with us in relation to NATO, for Ukraine, which wants security guarantees, and for Russia, which doesn’t want any further expansion of NATO,” said Zelenskyy.
He previously pointed out that the Ukrainian people would have to vote in a referendum on any compromise reached with Russia to end the war.
war crimes
The Pentagon on Monday accused Russian forces of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
“We certainly see clear evidence that Russian forces are committing war crimes, and we are helping to gather evidence of this,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters in response to a question from the US Department of Justice VOA.
Kirby also accused Russian forces of carrying out “indiscriminate attacks on civilians,” which in many cases were “premeditious.”
He said the United States would await ongoing investigations and contribute to those investigations into Russian war crimes.
[La corresponsal de VOA en el Pentágono Carla Babb y la corresponsal de VOA en la ONU Margaret Besheer contribuyeron a este informe. Parte de la información provino de The Associated Press, Agence FrancePresse y Reuters]