Maxim Rodionov and Kylie MacLellan

LONDON/MOSCOW – Europe should diversify its fuel supplies. The head of NATO stated this Sunday as Britain warned that Russia could invade Ukraine.

Russia has gathered around 120,000 troops close to its neighbor and asked the west defence alliance to pull back soldiers and weapons from Eastern Europe. This was in order not only to bar Ukraine from joining the West defence alliance, but also for the removal of all former Soviet states.

U.S. officials said on Saturday Russia’s military buildup had been expanded https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/russian-buildup-at-ukraine-border-includ-idUSKBN2K20X6 to include supplies to treat casualties of any conflict. Across the border in Ukraine, locals trained as army reservists https://www.reuters.com/world/ukrainian-reservists-gear-up-case-conflict-with-russia-2022-01-29 as the government scrambled to prepare.

Moscow has denied that there is an invasion plan, however it said Sunday that it was asking NATO for clarity on whether the NATO intends to fulfill key security obligations. This comes after it had previously stated that NATO’s responses to it were not adequate.

Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, stated that “if they do not want to do so then they should explain why.” “This is a crucial question for determining future proposals.”

USA has indicated that it awaits a response from Russia. Although it states that NATO won’t withdraw from east Europe nor bar Ukraine, the United States is open to discussing topics like arms control or confidence-building.

Washington has spent weeks trying to build agreement with European partners on a strong sanctions package https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/how-financial-western-sanctions-might-target-russia-2022-01-19 if Russia attacks Ukraine. Germany is urging caution, but the matter has become divisive. https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-urges-prudence-potential-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-2022-01-23

The European Union depends on Russia for around a third of its gas supplies and any interruption https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/what-are-europes-options-case-russian-gas-disruption-2022-01-27 would exacerbate an existing energy crisis caused by a shortage.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenburg stated that “We are worried about Europe’s energy situation because it shows the vulnerability to being too dependent upon one supplier of natural gases. That is why NATO allies agree that they need to work together and focus on diversification.

PLANS SANCTIONS

Britain announced Sunday that it would increase the possible scope of sanctions contained in its legislation to discourage Vladimir Putin’s regime.

We believe it is highly probable that he wants to invade Ukraine. “That is why we are trying to deter him through diplomacy and diplomatic means, to encourage him to cease,” Liz Truss, foreign secretary, said to BBC television.

Truss will visit Russia and Ukraine over the next two-weeks. Sky News reports that Britain’s legislation will allow it to target a greater number of targets. “So there is no one who believes they are immune to these sanctions,” said Truss.

Truss was asked if new powers might include the power to seize London property.

The Center for American Progress, a U.S. think tank, has Britain would face a challenge https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-the-united-states-should-respond-if-russia-invades-ukraine uprooting wealthy Russians with Kremlin links from London given close ties “between Russian money and the United Kingdom’s ruling conservative party, the press, and its real estate and financial industry”.

Truss responded to this question by saying: “There is a real danger here to freedom, democracy and justice in Europe. That is even more critical than the short-term economic gains for both Britain and our European allies.

According to a White House official, the Biden administration will spare ordinary Russians from U.S. sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine. Instead, it will focus on industrial sectors. A high-ranking commerce official stated that the “majority of sanctions” will be imposed on “key individuals”.

Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister is scheduled to call Putin next week. After being criticised for failing to do enough diplomatic work, he stated that he had instructed the military to strengthen Europe’s borders and stepped up his diplomatic efforts.

Stoltenburg claimed that NATO does not plan to deploy combat troops in Ukraine to counter a Russian invasion.

Johnson declared Sunday that the “increasingly alarming” picture of Ukraine’s borders with Russia was evident.

On Twitter, he stated that “I continue to exhort Russia to enter into negotiations and prevent a reckless invasion.”