First Published Jan 19, 2022, 5:09 PM IST
RThe region has been in a state of war since Shia deployed 100,000 troops, tanks and missiles near the Belarusian border late last year. The White House warned yesterday that the situation was “extremely dangerous” and that Moscow could be attacked at any time. The UK also warns that Russia is warming up. The BBC reports that Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace has said Britain will provide Ukraine with short-range anti-tank missiles for self – defense.
Ben Wallace also told MPs that a small team of British troops would be sent to Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers. He said there was a legitimate and real reason for concern that Russia was using the military to launch an invasion.
Dozens of British troops have been in Ukraine since 2015 to train the Ukrainian armed forces, and the UK has been helping to rebuild Ukraine’s navy since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014.
However he acknowledged that their numbers were not enough to defeat Ukraine’s security.
“Ukraine has every right to defend its borders, and this new aid package will enhance its capabilities,” Wallace told lawmakers, referring to Russia’s move.
“Let me be clear: this support is for short-range and clearly defensive weapons; they are not strategic weapons, and they pose no threat to Russia; they must be used for self – defense.” The BBC reports that Wallace’s words were:
A state of war between Russia and Ukraine has existed since 2014, as some parts of Ukraine have been occupied by pro-Russian separatists.
But the latest intelligence reports suggest that even defense ministers in countries such as the UK and US are concerned about Russia’s infiltration.
Russia is reportedly sending armored vehicles to neighboring Belarus for training. But the UK is worried that it could target the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
Putin estimates that there will be no military response from Western countries, as Ukraine is not yet part of NATO. Similarly, the economic sanctions threatened by the US and the UK will only have a small impact.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will meet with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday as a last ditch effort to defuse the crisis. Earlier, he was scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky.
“It simply came to our notice then. “We are at a point where Russia can invade Ukraine at any stage, but the biggest feature of the talks is that a diplomatic path remains,” he said.
“It is up to President Putin and the Russians to decide whether or not to face serious economic repercussions,” he said. Russia has intensified its social media campaign by portraying Ukraine as an aggressor, despite Russia’s denials of aggression.
Ukraine thanks Britain for sending anti-tank weapons and troops to help defend the country. Last Monday, Britain reportedly taught Ukrainian troops how to use anti-tank missile systems.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadim Pristiko has called for more military assistance from Western powers. “We are asking for more and we hope to get more,” Mr Pristiko told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
“I am not ashamed to ask for your help in all possible ways to avoid this war,” he said. But German Foreign Minister Analina Bairbok said Russia needed Russia’s help to supply gas. Since last year, the people of the country have been given training on how to behave in the face of war as the war heats up. Ukraine also believes it will strengthen its army of 244,000. Meanwhile, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace visited Latvia yesterday to announce his support for the former Soviet republics. He said the countries were united in their determination against Russia’s aggression.
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