By SEUNG MIN KIM, ZEKE MILLER and MICHAEL BALSAMO (Associated Press)
NUSA DUA, Indonesia (AP) — President Joe Biden mentioned Wednesday it was “unlikely” {that a} missile that killed two in NATO-ally Poland was fired from Russia, however he pledged help for Poland’s investigation into what it had referred to as a “Russian-made” missile.
Biden spoke after he convened an “emergency” assembly of the Group of Seven and NATO leaders in Indonesia Wednesday morning for consultations on the explosion that killed two folks within the jap a part of Poland close to the Ukraine border.
“There is preliminary information that contests that,” Biden instructed reporters when requested if the missile had been fired from Russia. “It is unlikely in the lines of the trajectory that it was fired from Russia, but we’ll see.”
Three U.S. officers mentioned preliminary assessments prompt the missile was fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian missile amid a crushing salvo in opposition to Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure Tuesday. The officers spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to debate the matter publicly.
Ukraine nonetheless maintains shares of former Soviet and Russian-made weaponry, together with the S-300 air-defense missile system.
The president, who was woke up in a single day by employees with the information of the missile explosion whereas in Indonesia for the Group of 20 summit, referred to as Polish President Andrzej Duda early Wednesday to precise his “deep condolences” for the lack of life. Biden promised on Twitter “full U.S support for and assistance with Poland’s investigation,” and “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to NATO.”
Biden mentioned that he briefed the allies on his conversations with Duda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and that there was “Total unanimity among the folks at the table” to help Poland’s investigation into the explosion.
“I’m going to make sure we find out exactly what happened,” Biden mentioned. “And then we’re going to collectively determine our next step as we investigate.”
Meeting at a big spherical desk in a ballroom in his resort, the U.S. president hosted the leaders of the G-7, which incorporates Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union, together with the president of the European Council and the prime ministers of NATO allies Spain and the Netherlands.
Biden held a separate assembly later with new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, of their first prolonged dialog since he took workplace final month.
“We’re going to continue to support Ukraine as long as Russia continues their aggression,” Biden mentioned alongside Sunak, including that he was “glad we’re on the same page” in backing Ukraine.
An announcement from the Polish Foreign Ministry recognized the missile as being made in Russia. But Poland’s president, Duda, was extra cautious about its origin, saying that officers didn’t know for certain who fired it or the place it was made. He mentioned it was “most probably” Russian-made, however that’s being nonetheless verified. If confirmed, it will be the primary time because the invasion of Ukraine {that a} Russian weapon got here down on a NATO nation.
Biden additionally mentioned the leaders condemned “the latest series of Russian missile attacks,” referring to the confirmed Russian strikes in current days which have focused Ukraine’s energy grid and induced widespread blackouts.
“The moment when the world came together at the G-20 to urge de-escalation, Russia continues to escalate in Ukraine, while we’re meeting,” Biden mentioned. “There were scores and scores of missile attacks in western Ukraine.”
Biden and his allies had got down to isolate Russia on the G-20 summit and the group’s closing communique was anticipated to point out that “most” of the nations within the G-20 condemn Russia’s invasion.
Underscoring the terribly tense scenario, CIA Director William Burns was in Kyiv on Tuesday throughout the barrage of Russian missiles. He remained within the U.S. embassy in Kyiv throughout the strikes.
Burns briefed Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officers on his assembly in Turkey with the pinnacle of Russia’s overseas intelligence service, in keeping with one other U.S. official who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate intelligence issues.
Burns instructed Ukrainian officers that he had delivered a U.S. warning to Russia to not use nuclear weapons, the U.S. official mentioned.
In addition to Biden’s conversations, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks together with his Polish and Ukrainian counterparts Wednesday, the State Department mentioned.
Army Gen. Mark Milley spoke with Polish Chief of the General Staff Gen. Rajmund Andrzejczak on Tuesday. The Joint Staff mentioned the 2 generals mentioned the explosion in Poland and the lack of life there. He offered no different particulars.
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Balsamo reported from Washington. AP writers Lolita C. Baldor, Nomaan Merchant and Colleen Long contributed from Washington
Source: www.bostonherald.com”