US general believes war in Ukraine will drag on for years and warns of nuclear risks from China and Russia

On April 5, General Mark Milley told lawmakers that Russia's invasion of Ukraine probably could not have been prevented except by the presence of US troops, and warned that conflict in Europe would likely drag on for years. NYPost.

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General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said conquering Ukraine was a "long-standing goal" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Frankly, short of bringing U.S. troops into Ukraine proper, I’m not sure it could have been contained,” Milley told the House Armed Services Committee while testifying alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “That was his long-term goal.” "I think the idea of ​​containing Putin from invading Ukraine - containing him by the United States - would require the use of US military forces and would risk armed conflict with Russia, which I would not recommend."

On the subject: Mass executions, torture, rape: the Russian army staged a massacre in the suburbs of Kyiv

Milley's confession ran counter to the Biden administration's rhetoric about the expected effect of sanctions on Russia prior to the Feb. 24 invasion.

Back on February 22, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters: “Sanctions are not an end in themselves. They serve a higher purpose. And that goal is containment and prevention. They are designed to prevent and deter a large-scale invasion of Ukraine that could entail the capture of major cities, including Kyiv.”

Asked by Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.) how long he thought the war could last, Milley said it was "hard to say." “It’s still a little early. But I do think this is a very protracted conflict, and I think it's at least measured in years. I don’t know about a decade, but at least years for sure,” he said.

“This is a very long conflict initiated by Russia,” Milley continued, “and I think that NATO, the United States, Ukraine and all allies and partners that support Ukraine will be involved in it for quite a long time.”

In his testimony, Milley said that the Russian invasion "created a dangerous historical turning point."

Even as the Russian economy has been rocked by Western sanctions, Milley warned that Moscow “retains a large and diverse nuclear capability to threaten the United States, our allies and partners, and we have heard very provocative rhetoric regarding the alert levels of Russian nuclear forces from Russian top officials.” leaders."

Days after the start of the war, Putin ordered his country's nuclear weapons to be put on high alert due to what he called "aggressive pronouncements" from the West in defense of Ukraine.

“Western countries are not only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials of leading NATO members have made aggressive statements against our country,” Putin said in a speech on state television on February 27.

According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Russia has the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, with nearly 6000 warheads, including missiles capable of hitting the US mainland.

According to Milley, with a Russian attack on Ukraine, the US "will face two world powers, China and Russia, each with significant military capabilities, and both of them intend to fundamentally change the current rules-based world order."

Austin echoed Milley's comments, calling China and Russia the two "biggest US security challenges," in that order.

"The People's Republic of China is the department's primary concern because of its coercive and increasingly aggressive efforts to reshape the Indo-Pacific and the international system in line with its interests and preferences," Austin said in the House of Representatives.

The secretary went on to say that Beijing has upgraded every aspect of the People's Liberation Army, including its nuclear capability, to counter the US military advantage.

“PRC seeks to fragment U.S. security alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, and PRC leaders hope to use their economic influence and the PLA’s growing military power to coerce China’s neighbors and threaten their vital national interests,” Austin said.

Milley, in his opening remarks, indicated that China is "actively watching" developments in Ukraine with the intent to "use efforts to weaken the United States and our allies who support Ukraine."

However, he insisted that war with China "is not inevitable."

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“The People's Republic of China is clearly a strategic competitor and continues to improve its technology and modernize its military,” Milley said. “It is imperative that our relationship with China remains competitive and does not allow it to escalate into conflict.”

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