The US and Britain also ordered the families of their diplomats to leave Kiev, citing the “threat of Russian military action”, with Ukraine calling itself “premature” and a matter of “excessive caution”, even that Moscow raised its number of troops to 100,000. boundaries.
“The security situation, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russian-occupied Crimea and Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, is unpredictable and could worsen with little notice,” the US State Department said in its evacuation advisory. Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transport options.”
After President Biden’s pledge that Washington would arm Ukraine without putting boots on the ground to counter Russia, more American weapons began arriving in Kiev.
Despite expressing doubts about the West’s assessment of an impending Russian invasion, the country enthusiastically received the shipment.
“The second bird in Kiev! More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen the defense capabilities of Ukraine from our friends in the United States! And this is not the end,” Ukraine’s Defense Minister oleksey reznikov tweeted, together with pictures of a transport plane with weapons.
Another bird in Kiev! More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen the defense capabilities of Ukraine from our friends… https://t.co/pXy5UVD0lK
— Oleksiy Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) 1642963551000
NATO also said on Monday that its members were keeping the military on standby and sending additional ships and fighters to Eastern Europe, “strengthening Allied deterrence and defense as Russia builds its military in and around Ukraine.” continues.”
Although the US has indicated that it will not ground boots in Ukraine in an attempt to provoke Russia, it is said to be considering deploying 5,000 US troops to new NATO countries such as Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, On borders that were part of Russian territory and the former Soviet bloc, Moscow sees the action as sufficient provocation.
Some reports spoke of a possible deployment of 50,000 troops. It is not clear whether this will be a new deployment from the US. About 64,000 US military personnel are currently stationed in Europe.
At the center of the controversy is Russia’s urging that the US and its allies in NATO stop pushing parts of the former Soviet Union into their sphere of influence, including grazing Ukraine. The US and NATO believe that countries should be free to join any alliance.
Sending new troops to the region would be a dramatic pivot for a nation that has recently been withdrawn from Afghanistan, which is bending the general sentiment among Americans not to get bogged down in foreign wars.
The Biden administration is struggling to devise an appropriate response after Republicans pulled up last week over remarks by US presidents that they said were too soft on Moscow, even though their own leader, Donald Trump, himself Loved Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow said Russia was monitoring NATO’s moves and President Putin was “taking measures to ensure our security and safeguard our interests.”
“Unfortunately, we live in such an aggressive environment. This is the reality in which we exist,” Peskov said.
In response to what it sees as US provocation, Russia is flexing its muscles in the US sphere of influence, including a planned live-fire exercise off the coast of Ireland in February.
In Washington, President Biden honored his allies for crafting a US response that would not be read as a surrender to Russia’s demands.
“The Russians put concerns on the table that they say they have about their security. We have exchanged some ideas. We will share our concerns with the Russians not only in writing but also in the future. Will share some ideas for avenues that can enhance mutual security on a reciprocal basis. At the same time, we will continue to build the defense and deterrence needed,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
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