US: More than 130,000 Russian Military Personnel Currently Stationed Near Ukraine’s Borders
As warnings intensify about an imminent Russian invasion, Ukraine’s president on Sunday evening, February 14, called for maintaining calm while saying he has yet to see convincing evidence in this regard.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, concerned about the paralysis of his country’s economy amid mounting tensions, has repeatedly tried in recent days to downplay warnings from American officials about an impending military assault by Moscow.
This comes as reports indicate that Ukraine is besieged from three sides by Russian forces. In this context, the United States reported on Sunday a “dramatic” increase in the number of Russian troops near Ukraine’s borders.
The Associated Press, citing an unnamed American official, reported that the number of Russian military personnel near Ukraine’s borders has increased from 100,000 troops in recent weeks to currently 130,000 troops.
The American news outlet also reported on Sunday evening, quoting an American official, that the United States has obtained information suggesting that Russia has targeted Wednesday, February 16, for an attack. However, this informed source did not state how definitive and reliable this information is.
Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Sunday in response to reports that Russia plans to attack Ukraine on Wednesday that he is unable to confirm these reports.
The U.S. Defense Department spokesperson clarified in an interview with television network Fox News that he is not in a “position” to confirm these reports.
He added, however, that the United States believes “a major military action could occur any day.”
Simultaneously, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor of the United States, told CNN on Sunday: “We will not give Russia the opportunity to surprise Ukraine or the world.”
Phone Conversation Between US and Ukrainian Presidents
Regarding negotiations to resolve the Ukraine crisis, the White House announced a phone call between Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday.
In this 50-minute conversation, the U.S. President reiterated Western promises regarding the imposition of stringent economic sanctions against Moscow and strengthening NATO in the event of “any possible Russian aggression” against Ukraine.
According to the White House announcement, Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart agreed on advancing both “diplomacy” and “deterrence” simultaneously in this crisis.
The Kremlin insists that the deployment of Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders is solely for the purpose of exercises and military drills.
Suspension of Some Flights to Ukraine’s Capital
Several airlines, amid mounting fears of an imminent Russian invasion, announced on Sunday that they have canceled their flights to Ukraine or changed their flight routes.
Dutch airline KLM – a subsidiary of Air France – announced on Sunday the cancellation of all its flights to Ukraine “until further notice.” German airline Lufthansa also announced that it is reviewing the suspension of its flights to Ukraine.
A senior Ukrainian official, however, said that Kyiv sees no benefit in closing its airspace in response to the increase in Russian forces in border areas.
Following the downing of a Malaysian passenger plane in 2014 over an area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed insurgents, the Netherlands’ sensitivity to potential dangers in Ukrainian airspace has intensified.
Following the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 (MH17), which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, all 298 passengers on board, including 198 Dutch citizens, were killed.
After four years of international investigation, results announced in May 2018 showed that the aforementioned aircraft was shot down by a Buk surface-to-air missile system used by Russian military forces.
Moscow has denied this allegation, saying that either a Ukrainian missile or a military aircraft caused the Malaysian passenger plane to crash.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the suspension of some flight services to Ukraine, Interfax reported that Ukrainian insurance companies received a notice from reinsurers stating that “airlines are not covered for war-related risks.”
Mikhail Podoliak, an advisor to the chief of staff of Ukraine’s president, told Reuters that changes to the schedules of private transport companies “have nothing to do with the decisions or policies of our government.”
US Government Request for Its Citizens to Leave Ukraine
The U.S. government previously requested its citizens to “immediately” leave Ukrainian territory. Reports also indicate that the U.S. Department of Defense has evacuated its military personnel in Ukraine and staff of the American embassy in Kyiv from the country.
Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, said on February 13 that the threat of a Russian military attack on Ukraine is significant enough to justify the State Department’s decision to withdraw most staff from the American embassy in Kyiv.
Joe Biden, U.S. President, also emphasized in a one-hour phone call with his Russian counterpart yesterday that the consequence of any Russian military attack on Ukraine would be “widespread human suffering.”
The U.S. President, in his conversation with Vladimir Putin, reminded that the United States is committed to “diplomacy” to end the Ukraine crisis but is also prepared “for other scenarios.”
Biden also warned his Russian counterpart that a Russian attack on Ukraine would result in a “decisive and swift” response from the West and would lead to a decline in Russia’s standing in the world community.
Russia, denying reports from American officials about the imminence of a military attack on Ukraine, has stated that it never had such intentions from the outset but will not back down from Moscow’s security demands, including the strict condition that Ukraine not join NATO.
Source: Radio Farda
