Kremlin denies aggression: Russian soldiers in the Ukraine border area

Kremlin denies aggression
Russian soldiers in the Ukraine border area

Massive Russian troop movements on the border with Ukraine are creating a mood of alarm among NATO, the USA and the European Union. The Kremlin explains that Moscow sees itself only in a defensive position. Russia is not a threat to anyone.

The EU has expressed concern over reports of Russian troop movements near the Russian-Ukrainian border. “We are continuing to monitor the situation and the information we have gathered so far is rather worrying,” said EU External Action Service spokesman Peter Stano in Brussels. In cooperation with partners such as the USA and Great Britain “we are ready to examine further steps if necessary”.

On Thursday, the US asked Moscow to clarify the “unusual” activities of the army in the border area with Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russia of a “serious mistake” and reiterated US support for Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity”.

The Russian government rejected fears that Russia might attack Ukraine militarily. “Russia is not a threat to anyone,” said President’s Office spokesman Dmitri Peskov in Moscow. “We have repeatedly said that the movement of our armed forces in our territory should not be a cause for concern.”

Peskov said it was rather Russia that had observed provocative behavior on the part of the other side. There are increasing NATO activities in the Black Sea and flights by western spy planes, which Russia could not be indifferent to. “Should it be necessary, we will take measures to ensure our security when our opponents take action along our borders,” said the Kremlin spokesman.

Talks about eastern Ukraine come to a standstill

Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and supports pro-Russian separatists who control eastern Ukraine. A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine has been broken repeatedly. Germany and France recently said that Russia would refuse a new ministerial meeting on the conflict. There is concern among EU diplomats that the deadlock in political talks will lead to a military escalation again.

In March, Russia gathered thousands of soldiers, heavy military equipment, naval ships and air force planes near the Ukrainian border and in the region of the annexed Crimean peninsula in a massive deployment of troops. The troop movements fueled fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could occur. After weeks, Moscow finally declared the alleged maneuver over and withdrew its soldiers.

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