A recent report by Ukraine’s intelligence service on Wednesday showed no evidence that Russia was withdrawing troops from Ukraine’s borders, Russian Defense Minister Oleksi Reznikov told Reuters.
Ukraine will believe that Russia is serious about easing the current crisis only if it withdraws its troops, military equipment and weapons, including the forces deployed in Belarus, for exercises to end on February 20, he said.
According to the Ukrainian army, about 140,000 combined Russian military and pro-Russian separatist forces are currently concentrated near Ukraine, including 125,000 ground troops. There are 9,000 Russian troops in Belarus alone, he said.
By comparison, Reznikov said Ukraine has about 35,000 troops in the eastern Donbass region, where Kiev has been battling Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
Reznikov’s statements show general skepticism in Ukraine and among its Western backers about Russia’s claim that it is withdrawing its troops after exercises near Ukraine. The West fears they could be used to launch a military strike on Ukraine, something Moscow has repeatedly denied.
Russia’s defense ministry said in a statement that it had seen tanks, infantry and artillery units leave the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow occupied from Ukraine in 2014.
“Unfortunately, we can not confirm this information. It is not confirmed either by the data of the Ukrainian secret services or by the data of the intelligence communities of our strategic partners,” Reznikov said.
Even if Russian troops were removed from one location, Reznikov said it would most likely be just a transfer to another area near Ukraine and not a real retreat.
“All the troops they have raised must return to their permanent points of development. Then it will be clear that they have canceled their offensive plans,” he said. “.
Read also:
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
