Ukraine's defense minister Alexey Reznikov
In a statement published on his ministry's website, Alexey Reznikov explained that assistance from foreign countries had significantly boosted Kiev's capacity for resistance, but it is not expected that donated weapons will need to be fired any time soon.
"We have all the information, and we assess the situation realistically. At the moment, there are a lot of different hypothetical assessments and forecasts, especially in the foreign media," Reznikov said. "It is the duty of the military to calculate all possible scenarios, even the worst ones, and to do everything possible to neutralize threats. That is what is happening right now. The probability of a significant escalation as of today continues to be assessed as low."
In the last three months, Western countries, led by the US, have accused Moscow of placing 100,000 troops on the border with Ukraine, with some alleging it is planning an attack. This claim has repeatedly been denied by the Kremlin, and it has also been played down by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite warnings from Washington that an invasion could begin at any time.
Comment: Note that Moscow's troop movements may have been just what was needed to draw attention to the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, and that enabled it to table the deescalation proposal. Revealingly, whilst Russia has been very open about its demands, the US has asked that its responses, thus far, be kept secret.
On Sunday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned that an attack could be launched as early as this week.
"We believe that there is a very distinct possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine. It could take a number of different forms. It could happen as soon as tomorrow, or it could take some weeks yet," Sullivan told ABC.
Comment: Not exactly the definition of 'imminent' as was being touted by US officials over the last few months. And, as reporters at the White House press briefings have asked, where's the evidence Russia intends to 'invade' at all?
In response to claims of an impending invasion, Moscow has slammed Western rhetoric as "aggressive" and "dangerous" while arguing that the deployment of troops near Russian borders and weapons deliveries to Kiev are leading to a worsening of tensions.
Comment: The financial markets agreed, because investors began fleeing Ukraine's economy as the West began to up its provocative rhetoric, which prompted President Zelensky and his defense minister to contradict his masters in the US. More recently, even Japan had to reject US calls to sanction Russia over what it considered to be little more than 'speculation'.
Last month President Zelensky called on citizens to remain calm, stating that the threat of impending war had not increased.
"The only reason to panic now is, if, after eight years of war, we finally succumb to it," he said. "Withdrawing money from our accounts, taking everything off the shelves, sharing fakes and scare stories with all our friends and acquaintances. All our citizens need to take a breather."
The Russians are being really chill about this and are the real adults in the room.
Like threats have been made and Im sure Putin will follow through with a big stick Blitzkrieg style but for the moment are sitting back having a few vodkas (I would like to think) and letting the MSM media bullshit their way along like they always do.