TassMon, 24 Jan 2022 21:34 UTC
Ukraine's defense minister Alexey Reznikov
Alexey Reznikov said that a scenario of a Russian attack in the near future was also unlikely
Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov said early on Tuesday he had received no information so far indicating the possibility of Russia's invasion of his country in the near future.
"As of today, the armed forces of Russia created no strike groups, indicating they were ready to launch an offensive tomorrow," he told Ukraine's ICTV television channel, adding that a scenario of a Russian attack in the near future was also unlikely.When asked about the likelihood of Russia attacking Ukraine on February 20, the final day of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the minister said the probability was "low."
The West and Kiev have recently been spreading allegations about Russia's potential 'invasion' of Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov castigated these claims as "empty and unfounded," serving as a ploy to escalate tensions, pointing out that Russia did not pose any threat whatsoever to anyone. However,
Peskov did not rule out the possibility of provocations aimed at justifying such allegations and warned that attempts to use military force to resolve the crisis in southeastern Ukraine would have serious consequences.
At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry published the draft agreements between Moscow and Washington on security guarantees and measures for ensuring the security of Russia and NATO member states on December 17. The document was designed to address, among other things, NATO's ongoing 'military development' of the Ukrainian territory. The sides conducted several rounds of negotiations, including a personal meeting between the top diplomats of Russia and the United States, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During the meeting, Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia had no plans of attacking its neighbor.
Comment: In the meantime, however,
US/NATO military forces are behaving as though an invasion by Russia is imminent!
The United States has heightened the readiness of some 8,500 U.S. troops amid tensions between Russia and NATO over a potential invasion of Ukraine, but no decisions have been made yet to deploy them.
"Secretary Austin has placed a range of units in the United States on a heightened preparedness to deploy, which increases our readiness to provide forces if NATO should activate" the NATO National Response Force, said Pentagon press secretary John Kirby on Monday.
The NATO NRF is a multinational rapid response force comprised of land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the current situation in Europe," Kirby said. "We remain keenly focused on Russia's unusual military activities near the Ukrainian border, including in Belarus, and consulting extensively with our transatlantic allies and partners. The department continues to support diplomatic efforts to deescalate the situation.
"Now, as the president has said, even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase readiness in support of its obligations to the security and defense of NATO and the security of its citizens abroad," he continued.
The Pentagon's announcement comes the same day that NATO said that it will send fighter jets and ships to Eastern Europe.
Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania. Spain is also sending ships to join NATO naval forces in the region and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria, the statement read. France said it is open to sending troops to Romania, and the Netherlands also said it will send two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria in April.
Last week, U.S. officials told Fox News that the State Department is ordering families of U.S. Embassy staff in Kyiv, Ukraine, to begin evacuating, and that they will encourage Americans to leave the country on commercial flights while they remain available.
Moscow has massed tens of thousands of troops along the Ukraine border, prompting fears of invasion.
See also:
Comment: In the meantime, however, US/NATO military forces are behaving as though an invasion by Russia is imminent! See also: