US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland
CBS Face The Nation: Transcript: Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland on "Face the Nation," January 30, 2022
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Victoria Nuland, the State Department undersecretary for political affairs. Good morning to you, ambassador.
AMBASSADOR VICTORIA NULAND: Good morning, Margaret. Good to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We heard from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs this week that Russia has given itself the capability if it wanted for a full invasion, not just an incursion. What is the US assessment at this point? Has Vladimir Putin made a decision on what to do next?
AMB. NULAND: Margaret, we don't believe he's yet made a decision, but as he has done in the past, he's given himself every option, including, as the chairman said, a massive potential invasion of all of Ukraine, including cyber attacks, including incursion from Belarus, where he is moving up to thirty thousand troops there as well. So we have to be prepared for all options.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So there is no sign yet of any kind of de-escalation.
AMB. NULAND: On the contrary, he's moved more forces since we've been encouraging him to de-escalate. That said, Margaret, as you know, we did send our diplomatic proposal to Russia, as did NATO this week. We've heard some signs that the Russians are interested in engaging on that proposal, including the fact that Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Lavrov will likely speak this week. So again, here's, here's where we are. We want to settle these issues through diplomacy, through arms control. Putin's given himself that option, but he's also given himself the option of a major invasion. So we have to be ready for that, too.
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WNU Editor: This is the Russian media's take on Victoria Nuland's interview .... US has secret weapon against Russia – Nuland (RT). More here .... Blinken, Lavrov likely to have talks next week — US under secretary of state (TASS).