"I can say to you unequivocally there are no offensive biologic weapons in the #Ukraine laboratories that the #UnitedStates has been involved with" per @DeptofDefense Asst Sec Rosenblum
"The crisis in #Ukraine & the blatant threats really by #Russia-potential use of biological & chemical weapons-is opening everyone's eyes to how much of a problem this is" per @DeptofDefense Ast Sec for Space Policy John Plumb
"The fact that the White House has used the megaphone of the United States to call this out is an important deterrent" per @DeptofDefense's Plumb
"We've been able to rally the entire @NATO alliance..."
"I think this is a wake-up call w/regard to CWMD [Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction]" per @USSOCOM Deputy Cmdr Vice Adm Collin Patrick Green
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NEW: US "not in a position to comment on the #Kremlin's statements" per @PressSec, when asked abt #Russia|n claims that #Ukraine struck a Russian oil depot & statement that such actions make negotiations more difficult
"I would also note that this is a war that Pres. #Putin started, a brutal war w/#Russia's forces continuing to bombard cities across #Ukraine & commit terrible acts of violence" per @PressSec "There is 1 aggressor here-that is Pres. Putin & the Russian military at his direction"
Possible future #Ukraine attacks on #Russia|n soil - "I'm not going to get into a future hypothetical" per @PressSec, noting Ukraine has not confirmed the attack on the oil depot
Happening now: @CENTCOM Change of Command Ceremony
Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie handing over command to Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla
#Ukraine "on everyone's mind" per @SecDef Lloyd Austin at @CENTCOM Change of Command ceremony
"#Putin’s invasion of his sovereign neighbor is unprovoked & unjust. And the Ukrainians are fighting bravely to defend their lives, their democracy, & their freedom"
"#Russia’s invasion isn’t just a mortal threat to #Ukraine. It’s a challenge to the rules-based international system" per @SecDef "We’ve rushed them security assistance. We’ve rallied our @NATO allies. & we’ve reinforced @NATO’s Eastern Flank w/more combat power..."
Happening now: @PentagonPresSec briefs reporters at the Pentagon
#Russia repositioning from around #Kyiv-"We continue to see indications that they are moving a small number..." per @PentagonPresSec "It has not been wholesale by any means"
"Not exactly clear...where they are going to go, for how long, for what purpose" he says
US believes small number of #Russia|n troops being repositioned from around #Kyiv likely will be sent to #Belarus to resupply & refit before being sent elsewhere in #Ukraine, per @PentagonPresSec
Same w/Russian troops being repositioned from #Chernobyl, he says
NEW: Day 36 of #Russia invasion of #Ukraine-US seeing more reposition away from north, northwest of #Kyiv but "we haven't observed that much of a difference" per a sr US defense official
"Despite the rhetoric...we're still observing artillery fire & airstrikes in & around Kyiv"
#Mariupol-"The Ukrainians are fighting very very tough inside the city" per a senior US defense official
Total #Russia missile launches - +1,400 since start of the invasion, per a senior US defense official
Repositioning affects less than 20% of the troops arrayed vs #Kyiv - "They're leaving Kyiv & heading more to the north...away from the city" per @PentagonPresSec
NEW: "We would concur w/the conclusion that Mr. Putin has not been fully informed by his Ministry of Defense at every turn" per @PentagonPresSec
Happening now - @US_EUCOM@SHAPE_NATO Commander Gen Tod Wolters testifies before the House Armed Services Committee
Ranking member @RepMikeRogersAL: "The #Russia|n offensive [in #Ukraine] appears to be stalled. If Russian casualties don't exceed 10,000, they soon will"
"The global response to #Russia's aggression has been remarkable..." per @DeptofDefense Asst Sec for Int'l Security Affairs Celeste Wallander
"Simply out, Russia's attempts to divide the #UnitedStates from its allies & partners have failed miserably"
HASC Chair @RepAdamSmith asks how shud US balance risk between supply #Ukraine w/weapons & not further provoking #Russia
@US_EUCOM's Gen Wolters: "My 1st answer is constantly. The conditions change second by second, day by day, week by week"