Status: 11/15/2021 5:16 a.m.
Last week, the US had asked Russia to clarify about “unusual” activities of the army in the border area with Ukraine. Now they have criticized the troop movements together with France.
The US and France have jointly criticized Russia for troop movements on the Ukrainian border. The foreign ministers of the two countries, Antony Blinken and Jean-Yves Le Drian, had discussed reports of “worrying Russian military activities in and near Ukraine,” a US spokesman said.
In doing so, they had reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”. On Thursday, the US demanded clarification from Moscow about “unusual” activities of the army in the border area with Ukraine.
Blinken warns of the invasion of Ukraine
Foreign Minister Blinken warned Russia against an invasion of Ukraine – this would be a “serious mistake”. The Ukrainian army has been fighting against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since the Russian annexation of Crimea. The West accuses Russia of supporting the separatists, which the government in Moscow denies.
In March, Russia gathered thousands of soldiers, heavy military equipment, naval ships and air force aircraft near the Ukrainian border and in the region of the annexed Crimean peninsula in a massive deployment of troops. The troop movements fueled fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could occur. After weeks, Moscow finally declared the alleged maneuver over and withdrew its soldiers.
Putin: “No reason to increase tensions”
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is not interested in the situation in the Black Sea region getting worse. That is why he rejected a proposal from his defense ministry to hold military exercises there in response to NATO activities, Putin said in an interview broadcast on Sunday with the broadcaster Rossiya-1.
“I should say that our Department of Defense had suggested holding its own exercises in these waters. But I think that would be pointless and there is no need to increase tension there.” Russia will limit itself to escorting military aircraft and NATO ships. Putin also said the US and NATO were holding unplanned exercises in the Black Sea. “This is a serious challenge for us.”