Russia never threatened Ukraine, says Russian foreign minister
Tensions between Ukraine and Russia is at a multi-year high, with Russia’s military buildup near the two countries’ border stoking fears that Moscow could launch an invasion.
Ukraine has warned that Russia are trying to destabilize the country in the face of any planned military invasion. Western powers have repeatedly warned Russia of further aggressive moves towards Ukraine.
The Kremlin denies it is planning an attack and says NATO’s support for Ukraine – including increased arms supplies and military training – constitutes a growing threat on its eastern flank. West of Russia.
The picture is complicated – but here’s the breakdown of what we know.
Situation:
The United States and NATO have described the movement and concentration of troops in and around Ukraine as “unusual.”
Up to 100,000 Russian troops are still concentrated on the Ukrainian border, despite warnings from US President Biden and European leaders about the dire consequences if Putin launches an invasion. And Estimated December US intelligence findings that Russia could start a military offensive in Ukraine “as early as 2022.”
History:
Tensions between Ukraine and Russia, both former Soviet states, escalated in late 2013 due to a landmark political and trade agreement with the European Union. After the then pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, suspend the conversation – believed to be under pressure from Moscow – weeks-long protests in Kyiv have turned violent.
Then, in March 2014, Russia annexation of Crimea, an autonomous peninsula in southern Ukraine with strong allegiance to Russia, on the grounds that it is protecting its interests and those of its Russian-speaking citizens.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that “there will be a heavy price to pay for Russia” if it again invades Ukraine, a NATO partner.
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