“We will not invade Ukraine unless provoked,” warns Russian EU Commissioner Vladimir Tsitsov. Speaking to the RIA news agency, the Russian diplomat clarified that “if the Ukrainians attack, then we will respond. The same will happen if they start killing Russian nationals in the Donbas valley or anywhere else.” It is not the only new indication of escalation from Moscow. In a resolution today, Russia’s parliament called on President Vladimir Putin to “formally” recognize the independence of the separatist-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine. “Ukraine does not abide by the Minsk agreement, our comrades need our support and assistance,” said Duma President Vyacheslav Volodin.
Meanwhile, the Russian fleet conducted exercises in the Black Sea, as announced today in Moscow by the Ministry of Defense. The high schools were based on war scenarios in Crimea and are a preparation for an even larger exercise in due course, under the auspices of Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov. At the same time, the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus continues until February 20, which has provoked strong reactions in the Baltic countries. Speaking to the German newspaper Die Welt, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called on NATO to strengthen deterrence structures in Eastern Europe. “In practice, Russia’s military presence in Belarus means that the Baltic states can be cut off from NATO territory before the Atlantic Alliance can even react,” Landsbergis said. The United States is closing its embassy in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, by transferring embassy staff and operatives to western Ukraine, specifically to the city of Lviv, near the border with Poland.
Partial withdrawal of Russian troops?
However, in a recent development, a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defense states that part of the troops from southern and western Russia that had gathered on the border with Ukraine will leave, as “it has completed its mission.” Part of the Russian military force in Crimea is also withdrawing, according to the Interfax news agency. If this information is verified, it will be the first serious signs of de-escalation in recent weeks. “The announcements must now be followed by action,” German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock said on Tuesday afternoon. A Kremlin spokesman said, however, that Western reports of an imminent Russian invasion on Wednesday were “hysterical” and that Russian troops were doing nothing more than announcing that they had returned to the barracks. planned military exercises.
At the same time, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said: “Together with our allies we have managed to prevent a further escalation on the part of Russia,” but added: “We have a principle, that you should not believe what “You hear, but what you see. So if we see that the troops are really leaving, then we will believe in de-escalation.” However, regardless of the situation on the border, the Latvian government today calls on the EU to impose sanctions on Moscow if it formally recognizes separatist moves in eastern Ukraine.
Giannis Papadimitriou (DPA, AP)
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital
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