The units of the southern military district have completed their “tactical exercises” on the peninsula’s military bases and are now returning to their home locations, the ministry said on Wednesday, according to news agencies. Television images showed military units crossing a bridge that connects the peninsula to the mainland.
In view of the massive deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine, the West fears a Russian attack on the neighboring country. The USA had named this Wednesday as a possible invasion date. On Tuesday, however, shortly before the meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow announced that some troops would be withdrawn from the border.
Moscow rejects any plans of attack and justifies the mobilization of troops in the west of the country with military exercises. At the same time, the Kremlin has repeatedly stated in recent weeks that it feels threatened by NATO.
“Wars rarely start on a Wednesday”
Russia’s ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, has vehemently rejected US warnings that Russian troops might invade neighboring Ukraine on Wednesday. “As far as Russia is concerned, I can assure you that there will be no attack this Wednesday. There will also be no escalation in the coming week, or the week after that, or in the coming month,” Chizhov told the “Welt” .
He added: “Wars in Europe rarely start on a Wednesday.” According to the United States, it fears that several ongoing Russian maneuvers and a deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers along the Ukrainian border are preparing for war. Russia rejects this.
Chizhov condemned the alarming remarks about a possible attack on Ukraine: “When you make accusations – especially very serious accusations against Russia – you also have a responsibility to present evidence. Otherwise it is slander. So where is the evidence?”, asked he.
The EU ambassador again urged the West to take Russia’s security concerns seriously. “If our partners finally listen to our legitimate concerns, a detente process will not be long in coming. That would be in the interests of all Europeans from Lisbon to Vladivostok, but also of all other nations in the world.”
Video: Slight relaxation in the Ukraine crisis
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Biden still thinks a Russian attack is possible
In a catalog of demands to NATO and the USA, President Vladimir Putin demands that the West issue legally binding guarantees for Russia’s security. Specifically, this includes renouncing Ukraine’s admission to NATO and renouncing the stationing of weapon systems, including a US missile defense system, in front of Russia’s borders.
On Tuesday evening, US President Joe Biden said in a TV speech that he still thought a Russian attack on Ukraine was possible. So far, the United States has had no evidence that Russian units have been withdrawn. Russian security concerns could be addressed. The US would offer new arms controls and other measures. Russia had previously announced a partial withdrawal of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border.
In addition, Biden continued to campaign for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. “We should give diplomacy every chance to succeed,” Biden said in the White House. Nor did the US seek to destabilize Russia. “To the citizens of Russia: you are not our enemy.”
Source: Nachrichten