Ukraine asks for meeting with Russia as U.S. warns invasion imminent
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Russian Navy’s diesel-electric submarine Rostov-on-Don, sailing in Bosphorus on the way to Istanbul, Turkey on February 13, 2022.
Yoruk Isik | Reuters
Ukraine asked for a meeting between Russia and Ukraine within 48 hours after U.S intelligence officials warned that an invasion by Russia could be underway this week.
On Sunday evening, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia had failed to respond to a request Ukraine had filed under the Vienna Document — a treaty signed by 56 member states aimed at maintaining military transparency across Europe — for a meeting.
Kuleba: “Consequently, the next step is taken.” said in a statement. We request that Russia and the participating countries meet within 48 hours in order to discuss reinforcements and redeployments along our borders and temporarily occupied Crimea.
Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor told CNN on SundayIt is possible that Russia could strike Ukraine “anyday now.”
He said, “That also includes the coming week.”
Washington, London, and Ukraine: Security officers told Politico on FridayLast week, U.S. intelligence officials informed allies that the invasion might begin on Wednesday February 16th. Sullivan stated on Sunday, however that it was impossible to predict exactly when the invasion would occur.
An estimated 30.000 Russian soldiers are engaged currently in the conflict. 10-day program of military drills with neighboring BelarusIt also shares a border to Ukraine.
Russia has moved over 100,000 troops, tanks, missiles, and blood supplies to its border with Ukraine in these drills.
Russia has demanded that Ukraine be denied membership in NATO and said it would like the NATO to reduce its presence within Eastern Europe.
Moscow claims it doesn’t intend to invade Ukraine.
Russia was also charged by Ukraine with creating a maritime blockade. according to the BBCOfficials claim that the Black Sea and Sea of Azov have been blocked off by Russian forces. They are expected to start naval drills next week.
Russia invaded Crimea in Ukraine’s southern region and annexed it in 2014.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing
U.S. President Joe BidenIn a phone call, he spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
White House officials released a statement saying that “President Biden has reaffirmed America’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity.”
“President Biden said that the United States and its Allies would quickly respond to any Russian aggression against Ukraine. They agreed that it was important to maintain diplomacy as well as deterrence to counter Russia’s military buildup at Ukraine’s border.
The call was between Biden, Russian President. Vladimir PutinBiden reiterated Saturday that the U.S., its allies, and partners will “respond decisively” and impose rapid and severe penalties on Russia.
Biden said to Putin that Russia invading Ukraine would result in “widespread suffering” and “diminish Russia’s standing,” according to the White House. In a statement, the White House added that the U.S. government and allies are ready for diplomacy but that they also have the capability of being prepared for any other scenario.
The U.S. Allies France, the U.K., and Russia have held talks in recent weeks to try to ease tensions.
Boris Johnson (British Prime Minister) warned Europe last week that Europe “is on the edge of danger.” He added that, “things in Europe are just as dangerous as what I have seen” for quite some time.
Numerous Western nations have threatened severe economic sanctions against Russia if Russia attacks Ukraine.
Bob Menendez is the chair of U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. told CNN last monthAs a means of protecting Ukraine, the committee devised the “mother-of-all sanctions” against Russia.
German ministers have also said that Russia will face “massive” economic consequences if it takes any aggressive action against Ukraine, and British lawmakers have publicly taken the same stance.
While some Western nations have provided military equipment to Ukraine, it is the German government that has. refused to send weapons to the country. Olaf Scholz will travel to Kyiv to meet Zelenskyy on Monday, while Putin will be meeting him in Moscow on Tuesday.
Scholz again stated that any Russian attack against Ukraine would result in “hard reactions, sanctions that have been carefully prepared and that can be put into practice immediately.” Reuters reported.
Berlin didn’t expect concrete results from the talks according to the news agency. But Scholz stressed that the Kremlin should not undervalue the strength of the relationship between Britain, the United States, and Europe.
Jan Friedrich Kallmorgen was the founding partner and managing director of Berlin Global Advisors. On Monday, he said that Biden’s leadership in this diplomatic initiative made sense.
He stated that Putin does not take international organizations such as the OECD, EU, or the OECD so seriously. Instead, he loves to communicate bilaterally with people, he is happy to have Macron and Scholz visit him and the main prize, of course, the United States.
Kallmorgen said that the crisis could trigger a remarkable shift toward stronger foreign policies in Germany, other Western nations and more commitments to NATO.
“Putin should be awarded a trans-Atlantic prize for his contributions to mankind.” [the West]He said that they are closer than ever together since 1999.
There’s a very clear determination, everyone is singing the same song sheet. There’s an extremely coordinated and robust response. I believe it’s the sanctions. I also think they are credible. If necessary, there is the option to expand NATO’s presence in NATO-member countries.
U.S. withdraws from Ukraine
Biden warned last week that Americans should immediately leave Ukraine. telling NBC NewsThe country is susceptible to “things going crazy fast”.
However, he ruled out sending U.S. troops into Ukraine, saying there was no scenario in which he could see this happening — including as part of an evacuation scheme for U.S. nationals.
Some airlines offer this service. reportedlyAs tensions mount, flights were diverted or canceled to Ukraine.
The Pentagon directed all U.S. military personnel in Ukraine to leave on Saturday leave the country and reposition elsewhere in Europe.
On Friday, U.S. Secretary Of State Antony Blinken stated at a Melbourne news conference that it was still working to “draw down” the embassy of Ukraine. He also said that an invasion “could begin anytime.”
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