On the Ukrainian border: a critique of Russian military maneuvers

Last week, the United States asked Russia to explain the military’s “extraordinary” actions on the Ukrainian border. Now you have been criticizing the troop movements along with France.

The United States and France have jointly criticized Russia for deploying troops along the Ukrainian border. A U.S. spokesman said the two countries’ foreign ministers, Antony Blinken and Jean-Yves Le Drian, had discussed reports of “worrying Russian military action in and around Ukraine.”

In doing so, they reaffirmed their commitment to “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” On Thursday, the United States asked Moscow to clarify the military’s “extraordinary” actions on the border with Ukraine.

Blinken warns of invasion of Ukraine

Foreign Minister Blinken warned Russia against invading Ukraine – a “grave mistake”. The Ukrainian military has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country since Russia’s occupation of Crimea. The West accuses Russia of supporting separatists, which the Moscow government denies.

In March, Russia deployed thousands of troops, heavy military equipment, naval vessels and air force troops on a massive scale near the Ukrainian border and in the region of the annexed Crimean peninsula. Troops raised fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Weeks later, Moscow finally announced the alleged maneuver and withdrew its troops.

Putin: “There is no reason to escalate tensions”

According to his own statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of worsening the situation in the Black Sea region. That is why he rejected his defense ministry’s proposal to conduct military exercises there in response to NATO’s actions, Putin said in an interview with the broadcaster Rosia-1 on Sunday.

“I have to say that our Department of Defense has recommended conducting its own exercises in this water. But I think it makes no sense and there is no need to escalate the tension there.” Russia will restrict itself to supporting military aircraft and NATO ships. Putin also said that the United States and NATO were conducting unplanned exercises in the Black Sea. “This is a serious challenge for us.”