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U.S. President Biden publicly stated that Russian President Putin was clearly determined to invade Ukraine.
He pointed out that his goal was to take control of the capital, Kiev, and he warned of the toughest sanctions.
This is Washington Correspondent Kim Soo-hyung.
[ Reporter
] U.S. President Biden, who entered the White House with a heavy expression on his face, announced that it was certain that Russian President Putin had finally decided to invade Ukraine.
The attack was expected to take place within a few days.
[Biden/President of the United States: As of now, I am convinced that Putin has made a decision.
We have reason to believe so.] The
US government has revealed that the number of Russian troops gathered near Ukraine has now risen to 190,000.
Russia's announcement that the trained military is returning was a deceptive tactic.
The target is Kiev, and President Biden has even revealed a scenario in which Russia takes control of the heart of Ukraine.
[President Biden/USA: We believe the Russian military will target Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, where 2.8 million innocent people live.]
The UK, which shares military information with the US, said on the 17th that the Russian army was divided into three groups. It has even revealed the expected invasion route that will hit Kiev.
The US has again vowed to impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia if it actually invades.
[Dalyph Singh/Deputy Chief of National Security at the White House: We will use the strongest sanctions we can think of.]
However, they said that they had agreed to a meeting of foreign ministers with the US on the 24th to find a diplomatic solution.
A prerequisite was attached that it was possible without an invasion.
Amid the power struggle between the US and Russia, the Ukraine crisis is at a crossroads between war and diplomacy.
(Video coverage: Oh Jeong-sik, Video editing: Jo Moo-hwan)