The United States raised the alarm, suggested to Russia about Ukraine – Orange County Register

By MATTHEW LEE and AAMER MADHANI

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration on Saturday issued fresh, powerful warnings to Russia about the penalties it could face if it continues to threaten to invade Ukraine.

American officials raised the possibility of incremental changes in decisions about the future strategic posture of the United States in Europe. But they also said Russia would be affected by weakening sanctions if it intervened in Ukraine.

Officials said the administration would be willing to discuss with Russia limiting future offensive missile deployments in Ukraine and limiting US and NATO military exercises there. Eastern Europe.

However, they said Russia would be hit hard by economic sanctions if it intervened in Ukraine. In addition to direct sanctions against Russian entities, those penalties may include significant restrictions on products exported from the United States to Russia and products capable of being manufactured in Russia. foreign countries under the jurisdiction of the United States.

The comments come as senior US and Russian officials prepare to meet in Switzerland on Monday amid rising tensions over Ukraine.

Officials said the United States was willing to discuss certain, limited aspects of the European security posture during those talks. But they stressed that any deal would depend on Russia removing threats to Ukraine and that no decision would be made without Ukraine or NATO’s consent.

And, they said, it is unlikely that the US would reduce its military presence or arsenal in Eastern Europe as Russia has requested.

While those comments, made to unnamed reporters during a phone conference organized by the White House, were the first to indicate a willingness to compromise on issues involving Ukraine. , they were accompanied by threats that Russia would not act on US demands to back down. .

In the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, “we – in coordination with our allies and partners – will immediately impose heavy and overwhelming costs on the Russian economy, including the financial system.” and areas deemed important to the Kremlin,” another official said.

In addition to sanctions on energy and consumer goods, the United States and its allies are considering a ban on exports to Russia of advanced electronic components, software and related technology using American equipment. Officials said Russia could be added to the most restrictive group of countries for export control purposes, along with Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.

That means that Russia’s ability to acquire integrated circuits and products containing integrated circuits will be severely limited, given the global dominance of US software, technology and equipment in the field. this. The impact could extend to avionics, machine tools, smartphones, game consoles, tablets and TVs.

Such sanctions could also target important Russian industry, including the defense and civil aviation sectors, which would hit Russia’s high-tech ambitions, whether intellectual ones. artificial or quantum computers.

American officials have been careful not to issue an ultimatum to Russia and demand an end to threats against Ukraine. But they also flatly rejected Russia’s demand that NATO not expand further east and that the US remove troops and weapons from Eastern Europe.

Regardless of that stance, the US and NATO have signaled their readiness to explore compromises on relevant issues.

“We think we can at least explore the possibility of making progress with the Russians,” an official said Saturday, ahead of the US-Russia Strategic and Security Dialogue in Geneva on Monday. . However, he added that “no firm commitments will be made in these negotiations”.

Monday’s meeting will be followed by discussions between Russia and NATO members on Wednesday and with a broader European audience on Thursday.