BERLIN, December 23 (Reuters) – Russia is not preparing to invade Ukraine, Vladimir Chizhov, Russian ambassador to the European Union, said on Thursday.
Russia wishes to support the Russian-speaking community and its compatriots living abroad, said Vladimir Chizhov in an interview with the German daily Die Welt, adding that Moscow had never declared to want to resort to the use of military means for this.
“Russia is not preparing to attack any country. I can assure you that Russian troops are not preparing to invade Ukraine,” reports Die Welt, citing Vladimir Chizhov.
Russian President Vladimir Poutine warned Tuesday that he will be forced to respond firmly if the West does not abandon its “aggressive line”.
Moscow presented last week a set of proposals it wishes to negotiate in terms of its security, including a commitment from NATO to renounce all military activity in Ukraine and more generally in Eastern Europe. (Report Michael Nienaber; French version Camille Raynaud)