01:19Mandatory credit: The Pentagon
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder was questioned about reports that the Biden administration was "considering allowing US military contractors in Ukraine to help maintain US provided weapons", during a briefing in Washington on Tuesday.
"What's the difference between doing this and having US military boots on the ground?" the reporter asked.
"I'm not going to comment on any reports of internal discussions or proposals that may or may not be under consideration," Ryder replied. "The bottom line is the president and the secretary have been clear that we're not going to send US troops to fight in Ukraine, and that won't change. So, I'll just leave it there."
It followed media reports that US authorities were considering lifting the ban on military contractors in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ryder also confirmed that the US Defence Secretary had spoken on the telephone with his new Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov - who took office last month.
"During the call, the Secretary emphasised the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine," Ryder said. "The last time Secretary Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart, then Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu, was on March 15, 2023."
The US has ruled out ground troops in Ukraine, along with other allies, although French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly suggested that all options should be considered. Russia has accused Western nations of escalating the conflict with Ukraine.
'What's the difference between US military contractors in Ukraine and boots on the ground?' - Pentagon spox refuses to comment on latest reports
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder was questioned about reports that the Biden administration was "considering allowing US military contractors in Ukraine to help maintain US provided weapons", during a briefing in Washington on Tuesday.
"What's the difference between doing this and having US military boots on the ground?" the reporter asked.
"I'm not going to comment on any reports of internal discussions or proposals that may or may not be under consideration," Ryder replied. "The bottom line is the president and the secretary have been clear that we're not going to send US troops to fight in Ukraine, and that won't change. So, I'll just leave it there."
It followed media reports that US authorities were considering lifting the ban on military contractors in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ryder also confirmed that the US Defence Secretary had spoken on the telephone with his new Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov - who took office last month.
"During the call, the Secretary emphasised the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine," Ryder said. "The last time Secretary Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart, then Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu, was on March 15, 2023."
The US has ruled out ground troops in Ukraine, along with other allies, although French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly suggested that all options should be considered. Russia has accused Western nations of escalating the conflict with Ukraine.
Mandatory credit: The Pentagon
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder was questioned about reports that the Biden administration was "considering allowing US military contractors in Ukraine to help maintain US provided weapons", during a briefing in Washington on Tuesday.
"What's the difference between doing this and having US military boots on the ground?" the reporter asked.
"I'm not going to comment on any reports of internal discussions or proposals that may or may not be under consideration," Ryder replied. "The bottom line is the president and the secretary have been clear that we're not going to send US troops to fight in Ukraine, and that won't change. So, I'll just leave it there."
It followed media reports that US authorities were considering lifting the ban on military contractors in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ryder also confirmed that the US Defence Secretary had spoken on the telephone with his new Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov - who took office last month.
"During the call, the Secretary emphasised the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine," Ryder said. "The last time Secretary Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart, then Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu, was on March 15, 2023."
The US has ruled out ground troops in Ukraine, along with other allies, although French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly suggested that all options should be considered. Russia has accused Western nations of escalating the conflict with Ukraine.