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Russian soldiers on a training ground in the Rostov region, which borders with Ukraine
Photo: SERGEY PIVOVAROV / REUTERS
The strong presence of the Russian armed forces in the border region with Ukraine is causing uncertainty beyond the region.
Moscow is now trying to allay worries about a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"I can assure you that no Russian troops are busy preparing for an invasion of Ukraine," said Russia's EU ambassador, Vladimir Chizhov, of the "world".
He doesn't understand why Europe is so concerned about Russian troop movements that are taking place in Russia's own territory, Chizhov said. "Not a single Russian soldier has moved across the Russian border," he emphasized. Russia is pursuing a policy that supports Russian-speaking population groups who live in other countries. "But Russia has never said that we intend to use military means for this," emphasized the top diplomat.
It was only on Wednesday that Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) confirmed that she was “very worried” about the Russian troop movements on the border with Ukraine.
She called on Moscow to return to the negotiating table.
NATO has recently put its units in readiness for action, and troop reinforcements in the eastern countries of the defense alliance have also been discussed.
The tensions between Russia and the West over the Ukraine conflict had recently intensified significantly.
Given the massive deployment of Russian troops, there are fears that Moscow might attack Ukraine.
The Kremlin rejects this and accuses Ukraine and NATO of provocations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also accused the West of adopting a "clearly aggressive stance" and threatened a "military-technical" reaction.
Last week, Moscow demanded, in order to ease tension, that NATO formally exclude further eastward expansion and that the USA renounce the establishment of US military bases in states of the former Soviet sphere of influence.
NATO and Washington refused.
German ambassador in Kiev considers attack unlikely
Anke Feldhusen, German ambassador to Ukraine, was convinced that the clear words of European politicians and early coordination would have sent the right signals to Moscow.
You consider "the probability of a broad attack by Russia to be low," wrote Feldhusen in an email to German citizens living in Ukraine.
"In the past few weeks we have also not seen any significant increase in troops near the Russian border with Ukraine."
"Like all of our partners, I take the Russian approach very seriously," emphasized Feldhusen.
In this situation, "calmness and prudence, but also mindfulness" should be displayed.
Does Putin speak at the traditional press conference?
More information could be given at Putin's traditional press conference at the end of the year on Thursday (from 10 a.m. German time).
Unlike a year ago, when only hand-picked reporters were allowed due to Corona restrictions, this time, according to the Kremlin, up to 500 journalists from home and abroad will be present again.
Direct talks between Moscow and the USA and NATO are also planned for January.
fek / AFP / dpa
