Zelensky has invited Baiden to visit Ukraine in the near future / Article

Zelensky has invited Baiden to visit Ukraine in the near future

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A fearful visit would be a strong signal to Russia

A telephone conversation between Ukrainian President Zelensky and US President Baiden took place on Sunday evening.

During the meeting, Biden reiterated the US commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and promised a swift and decisive response to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The two presidents agree that it is important to continue diplomatic efforts and a policy of deterrence to ensure that Russia withdraws its troops from the border with Ukraine, the White House said.

The Ukrainian presidential administration said Zelensky thanked Baiden for his support for Ukraine and invited Biden to visit Kiev in the coming days. The President of Ukraine is convinced that Baiden’s visit would serve as a strong signal to Russia and promote de-escalation of tensions.

Russia does not intend to explain its actions

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba has called for a meeting with Russia and other members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the coming days to discuss the concentration of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders.

The minister said that Moscow had not responded to Kiev’s request for an explanation of its military activities on the Ukrainian border and in the occupied Crimea, in accordance with a Vienna document signed by OSCE participating States.

The agreement reached between the 57 countries in 2011 provides for a consultation and cooperation mechanism on unusual military activities.

Kuleba said that Russia must fulfill its obligations in order to reduce tensions and strengthen the security of the signatory states.

Russia has replied that it cannot accept Ukraine’s demand for detailed explanations of its military activities near Ukraine’s borders and in the Crimea. Russia also claims that it does not carry out any unusual military activities on its territory.

The army is waiting for Putin’s order

Western intelligence services say more than 100,000 Russian troops have been drawn near Ukraine’s borders.

Jake Sullivan, the US president’s adviser on national security, reiterated on Sunday that Russia’s attack on Ukraine could begin every day.

“Over the last ten days, we have seen a rapid increase in the presence of the Russian armed forces near Ukraine’s borders and their deployment in such a way that they can start fighting at any time. They could do it this week, but of course they are still waiting for an order from Putin. Therefore, we cannot predict the exact date or time when they will do so.

We are also watching very closely for possible provocations that could serve as a pretext for Russia’s attack. Russia’s intelligence services could carry out an attack on Moscow-backed forces or Russian citizens in eastern Ukraine, and then blame Ukraine, “Sullivan said in an interview with CBS News.

Sullivan added that the United States was still ready to continue diplomatic efforts to prevent Russia’s military action against Ukraine.

European countries have not given up hope that Russia will desecrate the situation through diplomacy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will arrive in Kiev on Monday to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Scholz’s visit is very important, as Germany has been heavily criticized in recent weeks for refusing to supply arms to Ukraine and for failing to say clearly whether it will suspend the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine again.

Before leaving for Ukraine, Sholch warned Moscow of a united and firm response from Europe and the United States if Russia decided to take military action against Ukraine.

CONTEXT:

Last year, Russia began pulling a contingent of troops off the Ukrainian border, raising concerns about a new invasion of the neighborhood. In December, Moscow issued an ultimatum to the West demanding a halt further enlargement of NATO to the east. Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened that if Moscow does not receive his requests “security guarantees”he will have to implement “military technical measures”.

The United States and other NATO members have stated that these demands are unacceptable and not even negotiable, but have shown readiness to talk about arms control, missile deployment and confidence-building measures. US President Joe Biden has warned Putin that the US will impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia if it attacks Ukraine.

A number of countries called for leave its citizens in Ukraine after the United States warned that a new Russian military invasion of Ukraine could begin soon. At the same time, Western countries are continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent a Russian attack on Ukraine.

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