The White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that the US military is not currently involved in training Ukrainians in a conflict with Russia.
“We don’t have Ukrainians on Ukrainian territory. Of course, there are U.S. forces defending NATO territory,” he told White House reporters. “The Ukrainians are currently training Ukrainians. No, “he added.
However, he added, the United States has a “significant role” in facilitating the transfer of military equipment provided to Ukrainian troops from other NATO members. President Joe Biden will later announce joint actions to strengthen the European Union’s energy security and reduce Russia’s reliance on oil and natural gas blocks, Sullivan continued.
Biden is traveling to Brussels and Poland this week, Sullivan said, to seek unity between Western allies against Russia. He will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda. The United States has deployed more troops and military hardware to Poland and other neighboring NATO member states in recent weeks.
“We feel it’s a good place to go where he can see the army, see humanitarian experts, and meet the most vulnerable allies on the front lines. “Masu,” said Sullivan.
Meanwhile, US intelligence officials have never seen the Chinese government provide military equipment to Russia, Sullivan said.
“But of course, this is what we are watching carefully,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense insisted on local media that Ukrainian troops had expelled Russian troops from Macarib on the outskirts of Kyiv after a fierce battle. The restoration of territory allowed Ukrainian troops to regain control of major highways and prevent Russian troops from surrounding Kyiv from the northwest.
However, the Pentagon said Russian troops had partially occupied other northwestern suburbs, Bucha, Hostmel and Irpin. Some of these have been largely under attack since Russia invaded almost a month ago.
Western officials say Russian troops allegedly stagnant in Ukraine are facing a serious shortage of food, fuel and cold regions, and some soldiers are suffering from frostbite. Ukrainians claim that Russian soldiers plundered shops and homes for food.
“In Ukraine, the most difficult day will come for Ukrainian troops at the forefront and civilians being bombarded by Russia,” Sullivan said. “This war will not end easily or quickly.”
The United Nations estimates that more than 3.5 million people have been forced to leave Ukraine since the start of the conflict on February 24.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Jack Phillips is the latest news reporter for The Epoch Times, based in New York.