First Published Jan 29, 2022, 4:40 PM IST
EAddressing the global media in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of preparing to invade Ukraine in February. He urged foreign countries to refrain from making public statements in this regard. He indirectly criticized the US decision to deport the family members of the diplomats and told the media that we did not need a Titanic here. ‘I do not think the current situation is more tense than before. There is a feeling abroad that there is war here. Not so, ” Selensky said. “However, if war breaks out to the fullest extent possible, the civilian population will suffer greatly,” he added.
Biden had said the other day that he would soon move the U.S. military to Eastern Europe and NATO countries. But Biden added that he would not send too many troops.
Following the United States, Britain withdrew its diplomats from Ukraine
‘Captains do not leave the ship. I don’t think we have a Titanic here. ‘ Said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky.
‘The chairman had earlier said that there were 100,000 troops in the northern border area. It gives him a lot of options. What he did was increase his chances as he continued to transfer troops and resources to the region. Therefore, we do not predict where his decisions will take him, but we are concerned about the possibilities that he may pursue. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the issue would be addressed at the outset.
General Mark Millie, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he did not believe Putin had made a decision. But, of course, Russia has the potential to deploy combined weapons with 1,000 troops against Ukraine, he said.
Any move by Russia against Ukraine would end in great damage. He added that Putin had the weapons he needed. But he also called for an amicable solution to the differences at the diplomatic level.
When reports surfaced that a split with President Joe Biden was unnecessary, Volodymyr Selensky replied, “Just as Biden understands what is happening in the United States, I can deeply understand what is happening in my country.”
There are reports that blood and medical equipment are being smuggled across the border, as in Russia. This is a strong indication that Putin is preparing for the invasion of Ukraine. But Selensky said Biden should end the rhetoric.
Things do not have to be complicated. Instead, he said, a permanent solution must be found. The other day, Joe Biden threatened to cut off Russia’s European gas pipeline project if Russia invaded Ukraine. It was after this that Selensky asked Biden to be quiet.
U.S. and UK intelligence agencies have reported that Russia and Ukraine are preparing for an attack in the winter of February. According to the report, Russian troops stationed on Ukraine’s northern and eastern borders will soon be able to infiltrate Ukraine, but they will be able to subdue Ukraine within two weeks.
Russia currently has between 100,000 and 120,000 troops stationed on the Ukraine border. Last week, Selensky also called on Ukrainians to “keep calm” and withdraw money from banks or withdraw goods.
That has not changed since Russia raised the threat of aggression last spring. Therefore, Selensky urged foreign countries not to aggravate the problem by mere verbal exercises.
The head of the National Security Council and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine made the same demand. The State Department also criticized the United States and the United Kingdom for withdrawing their diplomatic missions.
Ukraine has claimed that the US president’s statement that the attack was imminent was “incorrect”. But Selensky wants to downplay the Russian threat, CNN reported.
Russia has denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday stating “Similar, baseless allegations concerning Russia’s intelligence have been made more than once. The U.S. response was that Ukraine could not be permanently barred from joining NATO. The United States has also told Russia that it will not discuss the deployment of NATO troops and military equipment in Eastern Europe.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s defense minister and Putin’s closest ally, has said he will inform Putin of the US decision and that Russia’s move will take place soon. Eight years ago, at the end of February, Russia invaded and occupied the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. Ukraine believes Russia’s plan to strike again when the earth freezes in winter.
The world is watching to see if the Russia-Ukraine conflict will bring the world back to the Cold War. China’s position is that the issue is a European one and that it should not interfere.