Military exercises of the Russian army (Photo: REUTERS / Sergey Pivovarov)
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According to Politico citing sources, US President Joe Biden told allies that Russia could invade Ukraine on February 16.
However, according to the publication, the Europeans made it clear that they have other data from intelligence. Such an assessment was given, for example, in the UK.
Two more European officials were even more skeptical of the US data, the material says. One of the politicians allegedly said that «refuses to buy it.”
Journalists point out that «intelligence on Feb. 16 is raw, not a general U.S. estimate.”
At the same time, the German magazine The mirror reported that the CIA and the US military had conveyed to the German government and other NATO countries fears that a new invasion might occur «as early as next Wednesday, 16 February.
Earlier, Bloomberg, citing sources among US officials, reported that a new Russian aggression against Ukraine could begin on February 15.
According to the interlocutors of the agency, Russia may go for a provocation in the Donbass or «attack on Kiev. At the same time, US officials «do not believe that Putin has made the final decision.”
On February 11, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Russia had sent additional forces to the border with Ukraine and could launch an invasion at any time, including during the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
According to The Guardian newspaper, during a conversation with world leaders on February 11, US President Joe Biden said that the head of the Kremlin Vladimir Putin decided to make a new invasion of Ukraine. This was not mentioned in official reports.
CNN, citing intelligence data, reported that Russia may go on a new aggression until the end of the Olympic Games in Pekin.
CNN previously wrote that the US National Security Council and US intelligence specifically conveyed to the White House disturbing scenarios of Russia’s invasion of Ukraineto thwart the plans and contain the actions of the Kremlin.
At the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Western media of a “large-scale disinformation campaign”, the purpose of which is “to introduce into public opinion the thesis about the aggressive intentions of Moscow”.
11 February Ukraine turned to Russia with a demand to explain the military activity in the border areas and in the temporarily occupied Crimea and gave 48 hours to respond.
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The threat of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russia has been pulling troops to the Ukrainian borders since the end of October 2021. According to Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, as of February 7, along the borders of Ukraine from Russia, Belarus and ORDLO there are a total of 140 thousand military.
According to Western media, Russia completed «final preparations for the invasion“. At the same time, NSDC Secretary Aleksey Danilov stated that Ukrainian authorities do not see a direct threat of Russian invasion. According to him, full intrusion is physically impossible and there is no reason to panic.
The situation along the eastern Ukrainian border is causing concern among US and European officials. According to US President Joe Biden, The White House is preparing a set of tough measures to prevent a new Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov says Russia is not interested in warbut will not let you neglect your «security interests.” The Kremlin denies the information about the preparation of a new invasion and demands from the United States and NATO guarantees that Ukraine will not join the Alliance.
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