On Sending Troops To Ukraine, Chairman Of The US Joint Chiefs Of Staff General Mark Milley: Back To The President

President Biden with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. (Wikimedia Commons/The White House)

JAKARTA - The United States is still 'a long way' from sending its military forces to Ukraine, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

President Joe Biden decided to withdraw United States troops from Ukraine before the Russian invasion on February 24, to avoid direct conflict with a nuclear-armed foe.

However, changing circumstances, including the reopening of the United States Embassy in Kyiv, has raised questions about whether US troops might be asked to return to help ensure the safety of diplomats in the country.

At a news conference, General Milley acknowledged some staff-level planning, ahead of a potential decision to send US troops back to Ukraine.

However, the plan has not yet reached the level for review or the level of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Then, in the end, it's up to Biden.

"Ultimately, any reintroduction of US troops into Ukraine will require a presidential decree. So we are far from anything like that", General Milley said.

"We are still developing actions, and nothing has been conveyed to the Minister", he continued.

Gen. Milley did not specify whether he was referring to low-level planning for US troops, to potentially secure a US diplomatic presence in Ukraine or potentially to other activities as well.

It is known that the Pentagon is helping Ukraine fight Russian forces by sharing intelligence and sending them weapons.

On Monday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new security assistance package from 20 countries for Ukraine, after hosting a virtual meeting with allies.

That includes Denmark's pledge to provide Ukraine with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and launchers, Austin said.

"Everyone here understands the stakes in this war", he said.

Meanwhile, Tom Karako, a senior researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the Harpoon missile, made by Boeing Co., would be able to help Ukraine threaten high-value Russian ships attacking Ukraine.