“Putin is involved in a multi-faceted escalation of threats in Europe. His schemes can be overcome. Using what he sees as an excellent strategic position in the face of US retreat, fragmentation and weakness in Europe, Putin sees opportunities for significant gains in what Russia sees as his sphere of influence. east of Europe, “he wrote.
According to the American diplomat, the West, which has faced challenges to its authority, “has no choice but to stand firm in the face of Russian aggression.”
Volcker named “at least five threats” that arose in front of Europe as a result of Russia’s actions:
- reduction of gas supplies to Europe on the eve of winter;
- using Belarus to promote migrants to the European Union;
- deployment of troops and heavy weapons in and around Ukraine;
- incitement to nationalism in Serbia, which could lead to a new conflict in the Balkans;
- crowding out the influence of the United States and the European Union in the South Caucasus.
“These steps follow years of hostile actions by Russia and interference in Western internal politics, including disinformation, assassination, sabotage, bribery and other means aimed at weakening Europe and the United States,” Volcker said.
The ex-representative of the United States Department of State in Ukraine stressed the importance of what is happening around Ukraine and noted that the administration of US President Joe Biden and several European governments “commendably began to rebuff” Russian aggression. Volcker, in particular, recalled that “the United States, Germany, France, Great Britain and other countries have strongly emphasized their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
“Despite its openly aggressive actions, Russia declared that it did not threaten anyone, and accused the United States and others of escalating the conflict. Even the relatively factual comment of the editor of the Italian newspaper La Repubblica provoked a quick and offensive reproach on Facebook from Russian Foreign Ministry Speaker Maria Zakharova. aggressive Russian rhetoric should not hold back the West, rather, on the contrary. Only consistent, tough counter-pressure guarantees that Russia will not aggravate the situation further, “Volcker said.
On October 30, 2021, the American newspaper The Washington Post wrote that Russia resumed building up troops near the border with Ukraine, which causes concern among senior officials in the United States and the European Union. On November 1, Politico published satellite photos, noting that they show military equipment, which the Russian Federation allegedly pulled to the borders of Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on November 2 that any changes on the border with the Russian Federation Did not happen.
In the Kremlin did not comment publication Politico.
On November 6, CNN reported, citing its sources, that US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns came to Moscow because of the build-up of Russian troops at the border of Ukraine. On November 8, Bloomberg, citing data from the military intelligence company Janes, wrote that Russia is transferring tanks to the Ukrainian border.
On November 10, the United States warned the Russian authorities about potential negative consequences any growing threat to the security of Ukraine due to the “unusual military activity” of the Russian Federation near the Ukrainian border. The Pentagon called on Russia explain troop concentration near Ukraine.
On November 18, the head of the GUR, Kirill Budanov, said that Russia was conducting a large-scale special operation against Ukraine to destabilize the situation both inside the country and abroad. The accumulation of Russian troops near the border of Ukraine “will continue and peaks around the end of January“he stressed.
On November 21, Budanov said that the Russian Federation was preparing for an attack on Ukraine in late January or early February, near the border between the countries. concentrated about 92 thousand Russian military personnel.
On November 23, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “Russia is not going to attack anyone and is not hatching any aggressive plans,” and accused Kiev of preparing to aggression “against” LPR “and” DPR “. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine denied the disinformation of the Russian Federation about the alleged preparation for a military attack in Donbass.
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