US President Joe Biden reiterated that it is not too late to find a diplomatic solution to the escalating conflict. But he expects an invasion soon. So far, the US government has always emphasized that it does not know whether Putin made a decision to invade Ukraine.
About 40 to 50 percent of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border are in “attack positions,” according to a US Department of Defense insider. There are still around 150,000 Russian soldiers at the border, comprising around 125 tactical groups, says the insider, who declined to be named. The percentage of forces in attack position is higher than previously known. This indicates that these Russian units could attack Ukraine without warning.
Video: ZiB correspondent Christian Wehrschütz on the threat situation in Ukraine
The government in Moscow is convinced of the Ukraine crisis biden failed to split the West. “Despite Russia’s efforts to divide us at home and abroad, I can confirm that this has not happened,” said the US President. On Friday he spoke to US congressmen at the security conference in Munich and to western heads of state and government. The “overwhelming message” of both talks was unity and determination.
France, too, is united with its western allies in its efforts to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine. This was announced by the Presidential Office after a conversation with Head of State Emmanuel Macron biden, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other top politicians. Such an invasion would change the geopolitical situation in Europe.
A gas pipeline has exploded in the separatist-controlled region of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian news agencies. A fire broke out, Interfax and RIA Novosti reported. According to the Tass agency, there was another explosion there afterwards. After the pipeline detonation, there was also an explosion in the city of Luhansk, the agency reported, citing local authorities.
Source: Nachrichten
