Pentagon sees no indication that Belarusian troops ready to join fighting in Ukraine

“We have not,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said at a press briefing when asked if the Pentagon sees any indication that the Belarusian military is getting involved or preparing to get involved in hostilities in Ukraine.

He also noted that U.S. intelligence had not seen any indications that Putin was bringing in additional reinforcements from elsewhere in the country. According to Kirby, Putin has built up about 150,000 troops near Ukraine since last fall, and the majority of that combat power is now in Ukraine.

Russians have lost a sense of momentum here, but that doesn't mean that they still don't have the power at their disposal. However, the Ukrainians also have retained a lot of their combat power and are fighting greatly, the Pentagon spokesperson noted.

Kirby noted that there were still options available to Putin prevent the worst scenario. “He can still choose to agree to a ceasefire. He can still move his forces out. He can still deescalate,” the spokesperson said.

“I believe that, quite frankly, the future of Ukraine should be up to the Ukrainian people. And they are making their choices pretty clearly know through the resistance that they're offering to this unlawful and unprovoked invasion of their country,” Kirby stressed.

On February 24, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities, conducting massive attacks on residential districts of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and ballistic missiles.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.

Ukraine officially filed a lawsuit against the Russian Federation at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan initiated the start of investigation into the situation in Ukraine.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of all Ukrainian people, courageously resist the Russian aggression.

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