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Beijing Olympics may affect timing of Ukraine invasion: US diplomat
The Olympic Games are slated to be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20 and Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly expressed willingness to attend the opening ceremony of the global sporting event.
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US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman answers questions during her press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo on January 30, 2015. Sherman is on a two-day visit to Japan. (AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)
T
he Beijing Winter Olympics could affect the timing of Russia's possible invasion of Ukraine, as China would apparently be upset to see the events coincide, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Wednesday.
The Olympic Games are slated to be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20 and Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly expressed willingness to attend the opening ceremony of the global sporting event.
During an online event hosted by a Ukraine-related group, Sherman said there is "every indication" that Putin is going to use military force against Ukraine "sometime perhaps (between) now and the middle of February."
Noting that the Russian leader is expected to attend the opening ceremony on Feb. 4, she said, "I think that probably (Chinese) President Xi Jinping would not be ecstatic if Putin chose that moment to invade Ukraine," she said.
"So that may affect his timing and his thinking."
Fears have been growing for the United States and its allies in Europe that Russia may further invade Ukraine following its annexation of Crimea in 2014, as Moscow amasses troops on the border.
Washington has been warning Moscow that any move by Russian forces across the Ukraine border will be met with a "swift, severe, and united response" from the United States as well as from its allies and partners, including through economic sanctions.
