In a brief speech at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, February 15, Joe Biden changed the outspoken and convincing message in the context of more frantic diplomatic operations around Russia. Moscow has announced the start of the withdrawal of tens of thousands of soldiers who had accumulated for months on the Ukrainian border. This “Be positive”The US President ruled, “But at this point we have not checked” Its implementation.
The Russian Defense Ministry has released pictures of armored vehicles mounted on the train, which is thought to illustrate the return of a section of troops concentrated on the Ukrainian border to the garrison. One “Partial Withdrawal” Confirmed by the Kremlin, which a “Normal Process” And condemns “Mania” The so-called immediate invasion of the West. “We always said that after training (…) The troops will return to their original garrisons. That is what is happening here. “, Spokesman for the Russian president Dmitry Peskov told reporters. However, Russia will continue its important maneuvers in Ukraine’s pro – Russian neighbor Belarus until February 20.
Russian troops, now valued by Americans “Over 150,000”Although they have spoken to more than 100,000 people so far, they continue “Threat status” Around Ukraine, Joe Biden lamented. Since then, “An invasion is still possible”Warned.
Warning on both sides
Like the US president, Western nations have taken these announcements with caution. Welcoming Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholes was very positive. “Good sign”And estimated that there was “Adequate basis for discussion” With Russia “Things develop positively”.
The Russian president, for his part, promised, “Of course”, He did not want a war, while reiterating that the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a threat to his country. Moscow is still demanding guarantees that Kiev will never join the Atlantic Alliance. “There is a fact: Ukraine’s NATO membership is not on the agenda”Mr. Scholes replied. “Everyone must take a step back and realize that military conflict cannot be caused by an issue that is not on the agenda.”He added.
The German Chancellor is dealing with a very emotional matter head on. Kiev’s hopes of joining a military alliance were first dashed by Mr. Biden, however, refuses to publicly end the “open door” stance, which, at least in principle, would allow NATO to welcome new members.
France called on Russia to do its part “Words” To do “Actions”. “The lyrics are great. We are waiting for action. It would be even better if there were actions ”Jean-Yves Le Drian, the head of French diplomacy, began before the National Assembly, announcing that Elysee had made the Russian proclamation. “First Inspiring Sign” Corn “Brittle”.
Obstacles “ready”
In general, Washington maintains a firm stance against Moscow, with Mr. Biden recalled. He reiterated that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could occur “any time”And warned of penalties for responding to them “Ready”.
These activities “powerful” Especially put “Pressure on their largest and most important financial institutions and key businesses”, The U.S. president reaffirmed that the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany would never come into service in the event of a Russian attack. He also said “Ready to respond” Let’s see later “Asymmetric attack” Against the United States or its NATO allies, including cyber attacks.
The 79-year-old Democrat was once again bragging “Unity” In the western camp, he says, it was strengthened by this crisis. Americans are constantly consulting with their allies. On Tuesday, Mr. Biden, for example, commented with his French envoy, Emmanuel Macron, while US, French, German and British diplomats spoke on their behalf.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, for his part, met with Polish Presidential Adviser Jacques Kumos, Andrzej Duda, Ukraine and “Past Atlantic Integration” On top of that “Security and Prevention”According to the White House.
“Practical Conversation”
Joe Biden continued to approach his Russian ally and promised that there would be ways to respond “Security Concerns” From each camp. Moscow, which denies any invasion of Ukraine, condemns the rejection of its key demands by the West, namely the decision of the coalition’s expansionist policy, its determination not to carry out armed attacks near the Russian border and the withdrawal of NATO infrastructure from Eastern Europe. Western nations have come forward in exchange talks on issues such as arms control.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials pointed out that the websites of the Ministry of Defense in Kiev and the websites of two public banks were targeted by a cyber attack. “Occupier”, An expression commonly used to refer to Russia. A major computer attack is one of the scenes that triggered the forerunner of a classic military attack.
At the same time, the Russian parliament has called on President Putin to recognize the independence of the secluded territories in eastern Ukraine. When asked about the matter, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured reporters that at present there is nothing. “No official results”But that is the demand of the delegates “Reflects People’s Opinion” Russian. This recognition is a “Unarmed occupation”French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned in the National Assembly.
