Incorrect predictions that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine on February 16 did not come from Washington, and America stands by its assessment that the Kremlin may launch an all-out offensive at any moment, the US State Department has said.
The denial follows multiple reports in Western media outlets claiming that Moscow was planning to launch an attack on Wednesday. Citing anonymous sources, American and British outlets suggested that the US intelligence community thought Russia would invade in the early hours of February 16.
However, according to State Department spokesman Ned Price, Washington never gave a specific date.
“We are in a window where Putin could order an invasion or an attack on Ukraine at a moment’s notice. It could take place tomorrow, it could take place next week, it could take place before the end of the Olympics, it could take place after the Olympics,” Price said at a press briefing on Wednesday.