Russia denies preparing invasion of Ukraine, amid US accusations of further escalation
- Moscow’s ambassador to the EU told German newspaper Die Welt that ‘Russia is not planning an attack’
- The US and Western allies have accused Russia of ‘escalating’ the tense situation at the border with Ukraine, and promised to present a united front in January talks
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Vladimir Chizhov told German newspaper Die Welt in an interview that Russia wanted to support Russian-speaking people and compatriots living in other countries, but he added that Moscow never said it wanted to use military means for this.
“Russia is not planning an attack against any country. I can assure you that no Russian troops are currently preparing for an invasion of Ukraine,” Chizhov was quoted as saying.
Putin addressed his remarks to military officials as Russia pressed for an urgent US and Nato reply to proposals it made last week for a binding set of security guarantees from the West.
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Meanwhile, several Western countries on Wednesday accused Russia of “escalating” the tense situation at the border with Ukraine, and promised to present a united front when talks with Moscow begin in January.
Baerbock said her concern was heightened because the comments came ahead of “further troop movements on the border” with Ukraine and that the “major crisis” could only be resolved through dialogue.
Asked about the new troop movements, the US State Department said Washington and its allies are “closely” monitoring the situation.
“Russia continues escalating and has not reversed its troop build-up” at the border, a State Department spokesperson said.
“Any further aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and would carry a severe price,” the State Department official added, repeating earlier unprecedented warnings about new sanctions from the US and its allies.
“We strongly urge Russia to de-escalate by pulling back troops from its border with Ukraine,” the State Department spokesperson added.
“Our goal is de-escalation through diplomacy; the US is ready to engage in diplomacy in January through multiple channels.”
Russia unveils demands for US and Nato amid Ukraine showdown
Both groups – Russia and the West – have oscillated as an agreement for early 2022 talks approaches. The discussions are set to take place on a parallel track between Russia and the United States as well as Nato and Russia and at the level of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of which Washington, Moscow and Kyiv are all members.
“It has been agreed that at the very beginning of next year, the first round [of talks] should be bilateral contact between our negotiators and American ones,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Russian state-funded news network RT.
He added that Nato discussions would also begin in January, while Washington has indicated a similar timeline.
Speaking Tuesday with reporters, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasised “an open line of diplomatic discussion and engagement that is happening and that we expect to continue, that we hope to continue”.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top European diplomat Josep Borrell spoke about the situation on Wednesday during a telephone conversation.
“They agreed that any discussion about European security will happen in coordination and with participation of the European Union,” Brussels said in a statement.
