US President Joe Biden wants to move more troops to Eastern Europe. According to the US Department of Defense, around 2,000 soldiers are to be sent from the USA to Germany and Poland. In turn, 1,000 US soldiers would be transferred from Germany to Romania.
The troop transfer is a sign to the Eastern European allies in NATO, who feel threatened by a possible breach by the Russian army across the Russian-Ukrainian border. The troop transfers would be made in the coming days, said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. They are an “unmistakable signal” to the world that the United States stands by its allies. Any action against a NATO state would trigger the defense alliance’s duty of assistance, Kirby emphasized. “We make it clear that we will stand ready to defend our NATO allies should that come to pass. Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Kirby said.
The spokesman added that the deployment of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border continues unchanged “even for the past 24 hours”. The current situation therefore requires that the “deterrence and defense readiness on NATO’s eastern flank” be strengthened. The transfers are not permanent, but if necessary more troops could be called in.
On Biden’s orders, 8,500 soldiers in the United States were put on increased readiness last week to enable rapid transfer to Europe if necessary. Biden had emphasized that it was a precautionary measure. The President and other members of the government have repeatedly made it clear that no US soldiers would be sent to Ukraine. Pentagon spokesman Kirby explained that the troops that have now been deployed can be seen separately from these 8,500 soldiers.
Tens of thousands of US soldiers are regularly stationed in Europe, including around 35,000 in Germany, even outside of times of crisis. With more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed near Ukraine, fears are growing in the West that Russia is planning an invasion of its neighbor. The Kremlin denies that. However, it is also considered possible that Moscow only wants to stir up fears in order to persuade the NATO states to make concessions on demands for new security guarantees. (02/02/2022)
The US and NATO consider most of the Russian demands to be unacceptable
The Spanish Newspaper El País has published the previously classified responses from NATO and the US to Russia’s proposals for new security agreements. The documents published online According to them, the Americans and the military alliance make it clear that they do not accept most of the Russian proposals.
At the same time, NATO and the USA are open to concrete negotiations and new agreements. According to its response to Russia, the United States is prepared to rule out the permanent stationing of combat troops and ground-based missile systems in Ukraine, if Moscow also makes the corresponding commitments. An end to the current Russian troop deployment on the borders with Ukraine is mentioned by NATO and the USA as a prerequisite for successful negotiations. According to the NATO response, this is central to significant progress. The authenticity of the documents was confirmed to the German Press Agency from alliance circles.
With more than 100,000 troops deployed near Ukraine, fears are growing in the West that the Kremlin is planning an invasion of the former Soviet republic. However, it is also considered possible that fears are only being stirred up in order to persuade the NATO states to make concessions when demands for new security guarantees are made. Moscow wants to get NATO to rule out further easter expansion and, in particular, the admission of Ukraine. It also calls for a withdrawal of NATO troops from eastern alliance states. (02/02/2022)
Heusgen demands German arms deliveries to Ukraine
The future chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, has called for Germany to make a stronger military contribution to the Ukraine conflict – for example by supplying defense weapons. “If the Ukrainians turn to Germany for help today, we should support them with defensive weapons,” Heusgen told the newspapers of the Funke media group and the French newspaper Ouest France.
The traditional rule in Germany is that no armaments are delivered to conflict regions. “But I think we’re making it too easy for ourselves when we basically say: no weapons to Ukraine. In addition to our restraint, we also have to remember that during the Second World War German security forces massacred Jewish Ukrainians,” said the long-serving man foreign policy adviser to former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
In the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Heusgen spoke out in favor of “severe sanctions”. “One should not rule out any instrument from the outset – not even Russia’s decoupling from the Swift interbank system,” said Heusgen, who was most recently Germany’s permanent representative at the United Nations. Heusgen will take over as head of the Munich Security Conference after this year’s event, which takes place from February 18th to 20th. Heusgen replaces Wolfgang Ischinger. (02/02/2022)
Djir-Sarai calls for Ukrainian officers to be trained in Germany
The designated FDP general secretary, Bijan Djir-Sarai, has called for a special training program for Ukrainian officers in Germany. Training support has been a strength of the Bundeswehr for many years, said Djir-Sarai. “Modern defense skills and tactics could be core elements of the training program. Of course, specific training needs would have to be coordinated with Ukraine,” said Djir-Sarai.
Since the Russian annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014, Germany has intensified cooperation with Ukraine – including militarily. Ukrainian officers are already being trained in Germany. After the Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine, NATO allies criticized the German government’s reticence in the conflict. Ukraine is not a member of NATO.
“It would be an important and necessary contribution of solidarity towards Ukraine if the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces could be increased with German support in training,” said Djir-Sarai. “Germany should therefore make Ukraine the offer to train Ukrainian officers here in the country as part of a special training program.” (02/02/2022)
Blinken calls on Lavrov to withdraw Russian troops
US Secretary of State Tony Blinken called on the Kremlin to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis in a phone call with his Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov. The US State Department said Blinken had demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from the border with Ukraine and called on Moscow to take the diplomatic route. Lavrov said Russia insists on discussing security issues in Europe.
The West cannot enforce its own security at the expense of Russian interests, Lavrov said after the talks. He emphasized that the states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have committed themselves to the principle of “indivisible security”. Russia insists on that. A discussion about “why the West does not want to fulfill its obligations” is necessary.
During the conversation, Blinken emphasized that the United States was ready to talk to Russia about mutual security interests. With a massive Russian troop buildup near Ukraine, there are fears in the West that the Kremlin is planning an invasion. Moscow denies that. (02/01/2022)
SPD leader Klingbeil warns Russia
According to SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil, Russia must expect a “tough and consistent” response from the West if it violates Ukraine’s borders. The leadership of the SPD is united on this issue, said Klingbeil on ARD after a meeting of around 20 leading social democrats on the subject of Russia.
In view of the allegations made by former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) against Ukraine, Klingbeil pointed out that the SPD politicians in charge today agreed that the current escalation clearly emanates from Russia. “All options are on the table,” he emphasized when asked whether the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 could also be subject to sanctions in the event of a war. “But it’s also about preventing a war in the heart of Europe,” stressed Klingbeil. That is the priority for the coming days and weeks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has the support of the SPD. (02/01/2022)
Johnson announces money for Ukraine
Before leaving for Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced further support from his country for Ukraine. With 88 million pounds (equivalent to around 105 million euros) one wants to help the country to become less dependent on Russian gas and to strengthen anti-corruption initiatives. “As a friend and democratic partner, Britain will continue to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty against those who seek to destroy it,” Johnson said in a statement before his departure. They call on Russia to find a diplomatic solution and “avoid further bloodshed.”
Johnson now wants to make up for a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that was postponed because of the “Partygate” affair on Wednesday. The prime minister is playing an “active role” in finding solutions to the escalating conflict over Ukraine, his spokesman said. (02/01/2022)