Alexis Guilleux, edited by Laura Laplaud
, modified to
5:07 p.m., January 25, 2022
Tensions are still very high in the Ukrainian file. If the United States has announced to put 8,500 soldiers on alert, ready to be deployed in Eastern Europe if NATO requests it, the West is struggling to speak with one voice. European leaders including President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Joe Biden on Monday evening.
One objective: to display their unity in the face of Russian threats. In a context of growing tensions between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine, European leaders including the French president exchanged Monday evening by videoconference with Joe Biden. The allies all agree on one point: a diplomatic way out of the Ukrainian crisis must be found. Emmanuel Macron recalled that he believed in the “need to work collectively for de-escalation”.
No signs of de-escalation from the Russian side
France insisted on the need for a reinforced dialogue with Russia. An exceptional meeting will also take place on Wednesday in Paris between France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia. But it is on the subject of the sanctions to be taken against Russia that the differences are still numerous. The Europeans speak of severe consequences for Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine but do not give details.
Washington has been raising its voice for two days: evacuation of families of diplomats, threats to freeze strategic exports…. Because Moscow does not seem to want to ease tensions, according to the Pentagon spokesman. “The Russians continue to post new forces on the border with Ukraine. In Belarus, too, the numbers are increasing,” he said. “So not only are they not showing signs of de-escalation, but they are also building their capacity to act.”
To deal with it, the United States has placed 8,500 soldiers on alert. Armed, logistical and intelligence forces. These troops can be deployed in Eastern Europe only if NATO requests it. Thus, the Americans say they want to show that they are ready to support their allies.