Washington – White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday condemned Russia for the “shocking and horrific” killing of an American journalist in Ukraine by Russian forces and vowed that the United States would respond with “appropriate consequences” as soon as the Ba’athist government took over. death information.
“This is obviously shocking and scary, and I just found out as I went on the air here, so I will consult with my colleagues, I will consult with the Ukrainians to determine how this happened and then measure and execute the appropriate consequences as a result. “Sullivan told Face the Nation when asked about the consequences the Russians would have for killing an American.
“This is part of a brazen attack by the Russians, targeting civilians, hospitals, places of worship and journalists,” he said.
- Transfer: White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on “Face the Nation”
The head of the Kiev regional police force, Andriy Nebytov, said on Sunday that a 51-year-old American journalist, believed to be Brent Renaud, was was killed and a colleague was injured by Russian forces in Irpin, Ukraine. Nebitov posted on Facebook photos from the New York Times that allegedly depict Reno’s body, his American passport and his credentials.
The Times said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” to hear of Renaud’s death and said he was a “talented director” who had contributed to the Times over the years. However, Renaud was not on a mission for the Times in Ukraine.
“The first reports that he was working for the Times came out because he was wearing a Times Press badge issued for a mission many years ago,” said a spokesman for the newspaper.
Sullivan said the Biden administration would monitor developments on the attack on journalists “very closely and respond accordingly.”
The attack on foreign journalists covering the war in Ukraine comes after Russia fired more than 30 cruise missiles at a military training base located less than 15 miles from Ukraine’s border with NATO member Poland. The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a police recruiting center at Kisak, killing at least 35 people and wounding at least 18 others.
Sullivan warned on Sunday that a military strike on NATO territory would lead to the invocation of Article 5, which stipulates that if a NATO ally falls victim to an armed attack, any country in the 30-nation alliance will consider it. an armed attack against everyone and take action.
“If Russia attacks, shoots, shoots NATO territory, the NATO alliance will respond to that,” he said.
Sullivan noted that President Biden was clear that the United States would work with allies “to defend every inch of NATO territory, and that means every inch.”
Russia’s continued action in Ukraine and rhetoric accusing US and Ukraine of using chemical or biological weapons increased concerns that Russian forces could use chemical weapons.
Sullivan said the United States could not “predict the time or place” of a chemical weapons attack, but warned that Russia was preparing for such a move and would try to “take responsibility elsewhere.”
“No one should fall into this,” he said. “That’s why we came out so decisively to the United Nations Security Council and elsewhere to deprive the Russians of the ability to stick it to anyone but themselves. And as the president said on Friday, if the Russians actually use it chemical weapons in Ukraine, will pay a heavy price “.
Sullivan said Russia’s use of weapons of mass destruction would be a “shocking extra line.” [Vladimir] “Putin’s attack on international law and international rules, his attack on human rights and the human dignity of the people of Ukraine.”
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