NATO says Russia is increasing troop count at Ukrainian border
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A Ukrainian soldier fires an NLAW antitank weapon at a joint force operation in Donetsk, Ukraine on Tuesday February 15, 2022.
Vadim Ghirda | AP
NATO accuses Russia of increasing the troop presence at Ukraine’s border one day after Moscow claimed it had begun withdrawing some of its military units.
After a Russian Ministry of Defense spokesperson announced Tuesday that units that had completed drills close to the border were on the move, Western leaders warned they would not see any evidence of this move.
Russian government released video footage on WednesdayThe footage claimed to show military units returning home from exercises. CNBC could not verify authenticity of footage.
Russian officials announced also that soldiers who are engaged in military exercises with Belarus (to the north of Ukraine) would return to their permanent bases in February 20. Western leaders, however, have questioned Russia’s claims.
Russia’s military buildup continues
NATO Defense Ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels this Wednesday in order to discuss “the most severe security crisis that we have ever faced in Europe in decades”
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO chief, spoke to journalists ahead of Wednesday’s meeting. He said that it was “under review” whether Russia will withdraw.
“So far we haven’t seen any de-escalation in the ground. He said that Russia appears to be increasing its military buildup.
Stoltenberg stated that Russia “always moved its forces back-and-forth,” and that footage showing movement of tanks and forces “doesn’t confirm a true withdrawal.”
Stoltenberg said NATO allies were “remain prepared to engage with Russia.”
‘Mixed signals’
Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sky News on WednesdayAlthough the West has “some encouraging signs” of Russia’s cooperation, intelligence “still not encouraging”.
His statement was, “We’ve got Russian-built field hospitals near the Ukraine border in Belarus. Which can only be read as preparations for an invasion.” So mixed signals at the moment, I believe.”
Johnson made the comments after being warned by President U.S. Joe BidenWashington hadn’t confirmed on Tuesday that Russia had removed any military personnel from the Ukrainian border.
“We are not yet able to verify that Russian military units have returned home. In fact, their analysts suggest that they are still very much in danger,” he stated in a speech to the White House.
“And that is the truth [that]Russia currently has over 150,000 troops in Ukraine, bordering Belarus.
Biden stated that “an invasion is definitely possible” and that Moscow could use force to cause immense human suffering.
He called on Russia to take a diplomatic approach towards resolving this issue.
Russian troops started engaging in fighting with the United States. military drills last week in a move that was widely seen as a display of strength by Moscow. As more than 100,000 soldiers and tanks, as well as missiles and fresh blood supplies, were being moved towards Russia’s border to Ukraine, the drills took place.
Moscow repeatedly insists it does not intend to invade Ukraine, in spite of warnings by Western countries. an invasion is likely to be imminent.
Russia demands that Ukraine is not allowed to join NATO. The Russians also want the NATO organization to reduce its influence in Eastern Europe. Ukraine, which has been seeking entry to NATO since 2002, is the strongest military alliance in the world. The group’s Article 5 clause states that an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them.
NATO and the U.S. have stated that Russia’s request cannot be granted.
Ursula von der Leyen (President of EU Commission) urged Moscow to refrain from launching more violence in Europe, speaking to European legislators on Wednesday.
She said, “Yesterday Russia was definitely sending conflicting messages.” Authorities announced Russian troop withdrawals. The Duma, however, was not pleased. [Russian Parliament] votes for full recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics.”
The current situation at Ukraine’s border is only one aspect of a larger and more long-term concern.
Moscow annexed Crimea (a peninsula in South Ukraine) in 2014. Nearly 13,000 people have also died during the ongoing conflict between pro-Russian separatists, government forces, and Donbas’ eastern region.
Russian legislators voted Tuesday for President Vladimir PutinTo recognize Donetsk (backed by Moscow) and Luhansk (as independent).
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