Friday, April 02, 2021
Troop deployment at the border
Moscow threatens, but “threatens no one”
The Kremlin is gathering troops on the border with Ukraine. Kiev sees this as a “threatening atmosphere” and suspects that the rebels in the separatist areas want support. Moscow warns of backlash. Meanwhile, US President Biden Kiev pledges his support.
Moscow has denied “threatening” Ukraine. At the same time, the Kremlin for its part announced “measures” should western states send armed forces into the country. “Russia threatens no one and has never threatened anyone,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He was responding to the US government’s sharp criticism of the alleged Russian troop transfer to the border with Ukraine. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has given the Kiev government his full support.
Regarding a possible Western troop transfer to Ukraine, Peskov said that “such a scenario would undoubtedly lead to a further rise in tensions near Russia’s borders”. “Of course, this would require additional measures on the Russian side to ensure Russian security,” he added.
In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, according to the White House, Biden emphasized “the unshakable support of the United States for the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression in the Donetsk Basin and Crimea”. For his part, Zelenskyi praised the importance of the partnership as “crucial for the people of Ukraine” after the telephone call.
Washington pledges support to Kiev
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj had previously accused Russia of having increased its troop presence on the border with Ukraine. Moscow wants to create a “threatening atmosphere”. Ukrainian military intelligence accused the Russian army of wanting to expand its presence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by the pro-Russian rebels.
Washington expressed concern at the reports. US State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned the “recent escalation of the aggressive and provocative actions by Russia in eastern Ukraine” and warned Moscow against attempts to “intimidate or threaten our partner Ukraine”. According to Kiev, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said in a phone call to his Ukrainian colleague Andrei Taran not to leave Ukraine “in the event of escalating Russian aggression”.
In the conflict over eastern Ukraine, which has been going on since 2014, more than 13,000 people have been killed so far. Russia rejects the allegation that it provides military support to the rebels in the region. In July of last year, the conflicting parties agreed on a ceasefire. Since mid-February, however, there has been increased fighting that undermines the already fragile ceasefire.
.