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With a top view of what is happening in Ukraine is still the world public opinion, despite the fact that Russia announced today (Thursday) that it is continuing to withdraw its military forces from areas on the border with Ukraine, responding to U.S. accusations that it is still strengthening its military presence in that region with the aim of invading it.
Moscow has announced since Tuesday, posting photos and videos to back up its claims, that it is returning to barracks soldiers and equipment deployed for training exercises in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia, and on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Today the Russian Defense Ministry added that more Russian army units were withdrawing from Crimea, posting photos showing a train carrying equipment and vehicles to mainland Russia across the bridge in the Kerch Strait.
He also noted that armored units and tanks from western Russia have begun returning to their bases.
Putin spoke of a "partial withdrawal"
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday spoke of a "partial withdrawal," without specifying the timing of this operation or its scope.
For their part, Westerners question Russia's goodwill and suspect it wants to invade Ukraine, stressing that they have seen no evidence of a de-escalation.
A White House source who wished to remain anonymous accused Moscow of adding 7,000 men to its military forces threatening Ukraine.
NATO is "taking very seriously" the threats against Ukraine by increasing Russian troops on its border, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said from Brussels today.
"We have seen an increase in troops over the last 48 hours of up to 7,000. We have seen a bridge being built from Belarus to Ukraine or near Ukraine," he added.
"In the minds" of the West
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has seen no signs of a reduction in troops massed on the border with Ukraine, but only "small movements".
At the same time, the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises are scheduled to end on February 20. Minsk has pledged that "not a single soldier" from Russia will remain on its territory after the end of the exercises.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov scoffed at Western accusations during his meeting today with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio, assessing that the crisis is unfolding "in the minds" of Western leaders and media.
The deliveries of arms and equipment to Kiev by the West are increasing along with fears of an invasion, which is fuelling anger among Russians who believe Ukraine wants to launch an offensive against pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country.
The talks...
At the beginning of the week, the Kremlin and the White House said they were ready to engage in an in-depth dialogue on Europe's security architecture.
A first sign of a de-escalation, following strong European diplomatic moves, notably after visits to Moscow and Kiev by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Moscow says it wants to negotiate while criticizing the West's rejection of its key demands: ending NATO expansion, notably the integration of Ukraine, not deploying offensive weapons near Russian territory, and removing NATO infrastructure from eastern Europe.
Westerners have proposed talks on issues such as arms control, reciprocal visits to sensitive infrastructure, and talks on Russian security concerns.
Moscow is to send its written responses to these proposals today, Lavrov said.
Source: in.gr
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