Tensions and discussions over Ukraine

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 19 Dec 2021 by Alex Teddy

On December 17 a Ukrainian soldier was killed by pro-Russian rebels. Russia has reportedly massed 100,000 troops on Ukraine's eastern frontier. NATO analysts said this could reach 175,000 in January.Moscow laments that NATO has spurned its offer to de-escalate the tensions. NATO said it will not offer unreasonable concessions to achieve a detente. NATO says that Ukraine is a sovereign nation and Russia has no right to dictate Ukrainian foreign policy. A Russian Foreign Ministry official, Sergei Ryabkov, said Russia could act militarily if NATO does not respond positively to Russian overtures. That said, the US has said it will require European NATO members to consider the proposals put forward by Russia.Russia insists that the unprecedented military buildup is not a threat but complains about NATO activity near Russia's borders. Russia has offered to reduce troop levels if there is a legal guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to NATO nor shall NATO weaponry ever be stationed in Ukraine. This undermines the claim that the military buildup on Ukraine is not a threat.It is claimed a court case in Rostov-on-Don referred to Russian Army units stationed in Luhansk and Donbass, which even Russia recognizes as legally Ukrainian. The court therefore indirectly would query Moscow's claim that it is not involved in the Ukraine conflict.

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