At the razor’s edge is the situation in Ukraine, with diplomacy to give the last battle to prevent a war on the European continent. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov, however, said the Russian President Vladimir Putin is “willing to negotiate”, adding that the crisis in Ukraine is only part of Russia’s biggest security concerns.
At the same time, however, a battle scene has been set up in the wider region with the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyto mention yesterday in his sermon – for the first time openly – that he has been informed that Russia will attack Ukraine on Wednesday, February 16, to clarify later that the information is from the media.
In fact, on Wednesday, the American secret services have indicated as a possible day for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Besides, as his representative noted yesterday State Department, Russia further strengthened its military presence on Ukraine’s border over the weekend and has deployed more than 100,000 troops in the region.
“It’s not just a matter of numbers,” he said. “These capabilities (…) range from tanks to infantry units, special forces, cyber-attacks or even air and missile defense.”
War scene
With dozens of warships in naval high schools on the Black Sea, displaying its impressive firepower, Russia is rehearsing a general war … around the Ukrainian border.
On the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, a phalanx of armored vehicles and trucks of the Ukrainian army is developing … on alert.
Another shipment of American weapons arrives in Kiev, while missile systems are sent from Lithuania.
The embassies in the city are empty. Foreign airlines stop their flights. Shelters are open to civilians. The scene of the war has already been set …
“Russia: We will not invade if we are not provoked”
For its part, Moscow insists that does not plan an attack on Ukrainewhile the head of Turkish diplomacy, Sergey Lavrov, is trying to persuade Vladimir Putin to continue the dialogue with the West.
“Russia will not invade Ukraine unless we are provoked,” Russian Ambassador to the European Union Vladimir Tsizov said in an interview with The Guardian yesterday.
“If the Ukrainians launch an attack on Russia, you should not be surprised if we retaliate. “Or if they start blatantly killing Russian civilians anywhere, in Donbass or elsewhere,” he said, referring to the region in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years.
He warned that a Ukrainian “provocation” could prompt the Kremlin to react.
Diplomatic fever
The West warns that Russia could launch an invasion at any time, with Moscow still trying to convince it of another chance at dialogue. His double initiative is in progress German Chancellor Olaf Solz, in Kiev and Moscow, with his meeting with Vladimir Putin today being considered extremely critical.
In fact, yesterday US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed that “there remains a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to back down from its threats against Ukraine.”
According to Downing Street, the British Prime Minister and the US President stressed that “any further invasion of Ukraine would lead to a prolonged crisis for Russia “with extensive damage to both Russia and the world.
They also stressed the need for Western allies to remain united in the face of Russian threats, including imposing “a significant package of sanctions” if Russian aggression escalates.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opened a last-minute window of dialogue yesterday, presenting to President Putin Russia’s response to US and NATO proposals for security in the region.
“Our capabilities (for talks) have not been fully exhausted. “Of course, they should not continue indefinitely, but at this stage, I would suggest that they continue and increase (contacts with the US, NATO),” he told Putin.
At the same time, the air on the Russian-Ukrainian border smells of gunpowder, while Russia-West relations are at a standstill.
“We are at a very low point. “Our relationship is really on the floor,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov.
A senior military official says the armed forces are ready to open fire on foreign ships and submarines if they enter Russian territorial waters illegally.
Kiev is requesting a meeting with Moscow within the next 48 hours, which are particularly critical, according to US intelligence.
“Russia has ignored official requests to explain the troop build-up. “The next step is to request a meeting within the next 48 hours for transparency on Russia’s plans,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba.
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