“
We are at a stage where Russia can launch an attack in Ukraine at any time
,” the White House spokeswoman said on Tuesday, January 18, speaking of an “
extremely dangerous situation
”.
"
No option is excluded
" on the American side to respond to such an attack, said Jen Psaki, questioned in particular about an exclusion of Russia from "
Swift
", a secure circuit for international bank transfers.
Read alsoIn the trenches of eastern Ukraine, this Russian offensive that we do not see coming
These statements come in a context of high tensions around Ukraine, Kiev and its Western allies accusing Russia of having massed troops on its border for a possible invasion.
Russia denies any belligerent ambition in Ukraine and says it is threatened by the strengthening of NATO in the region.
She judges that a de-escalation is only possible if the West signs treaties excluding any future enlargement of the Atlantic Alliance.
For their part, the EU and Washington have warned Russia that it would be the target of very significant sanctions in the event of aggression by Ukraine, a threat swept away by the Kremlin.
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