Russian invasion of Ukraine distinct possibility: US President Biden
Washington (PTI): A Russian invasion of Ukraine remains a distinct possibility, said US President Joe Biden as his Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin left for a trip to the region amidst an escalating crisis in Europe.
Stating that any such move by Russian President Vladimir Putin will prove to be a "self-inflicted wound", Biden warned Moscow that the US and its allies will respond "decisively".
Biden said the US is still open for diplomacy to resolve the issue while stressing that more than 150,000 Russian troops remain on the Ukrainian border.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied it has plans to attack Ukraine but demanded that NATO never admit Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations as members and the military alliance roll back troop deployments in former Soviet bloc nations.
"Invasion remains distinctly possible. That's why I've asked several times that all Americans in Ukraine leave now before it's too late to leave safely. It is why we have temporarily relocated our embassy from Kyiv to Lviv," Biden told reporters at the White House here on Tuesday.
Drawing a parallel with the World War II, Biden said, "World War II was a war of necessity. But if Russia attacked Ukraine, it would be a war of choice or a war without cause or reason."
"I say these things not to provoke but to speak the truth. Because the truth matters, accountability matters. If Russia does invade in the days and weeks ahead, the human cost for Ukraine will be immense," the US President added.
"The strategic cross for Russia will also be immense. If Russia attacks Ukraine, it'll be met with overwhelming international condemnation. The world will not forget that Russia chose needless death and destruction. Invading Ukraine will prove to be a self-inflicted wound. The United States and our allies and partners will respond decisively," he said.
Biden said the United States and NATO are not a threat to Russia.
"Ukraine is not threatening Russia. Neither the US nor NATO have missiles in Ukraine. We do not have plans to put them there as well," he said.
The US President also ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine.
"While I will not send American servicemen to fight in Ukraine, we have supplied the Ukrainian military the equipment to help them defend themselves. We provided training and advice and intelligence for the same purpose. And make no mistake, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power," he asserted.
Biden said the West is united and galvanised.
"Today, our NATO allies and the alliance is as unified and determined as it has ever been. And the source of our unbreakable strength continues to be the power, resilience, and universal appeal of our shared democratic values. Cause this is about more than just Russia and Ukraine," he said.
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Man from Rajasthan arrested for duping devotees visiting Kollur Temple using fake website
Kollur: A 21-year-old youngster from Tijari district of Rajasthan was arrested by Kollur Police on Friday, December 19, under allegation of having duped devotees by creating a fake website in the name of the Kollur Shri Mookambika Temple.
The arrested, identified as Nasir Hussain, allegedly created a website similar to the official site of the temple, offering booking of rooms near the temple, taking money from the devotees to book the rooms and giving them fake receipts.
Kollur Police had registered a case on November 3, based on a complaint filed by the executive officer of the Kollur Shri Mookambika Temple.
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The case was registered under the Information Technology Act since the Kollur Temple is under the Muzrai Department and the investigation was carried out under the directions of Kundapur Deputy Superintendent HD Kulkarni. The police team, led by Byndoor Circle Inspector Shivakumar B and Kundapur Rural Circle Inspector Santhosh A Kaikini, comprised Kollur Sub-inspectors Vinay M Korlahalli and Bhimashankar Sinnoora as well as constables Nagendra of Kollur Police Station, Raghavendra Shetty and Krishna Devadiga of Gangolli Police Station.
The investigation team arrested Hussain on Friday, and confiscated the laptop used for the crime.
The arrested accused was produced in Byndoor court on Saturday and sent to judicial custody.
