Against the backdrop of brushing swords on the Ukraine-Russia border, a multilateral diplomatic verifier reached its climax tonight (Saturday) when several countries emerged to reduce tensions between the Kremlin and Western countries.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that he will visit Ukraine next week and hold a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A statement from Downing 10 read: "The purpose of Prime Minister Johnson's visit is to accelerate diplomatic efforts and he is determined to prevent bloodshed."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Photo: GettyImages
China, too, has called on the parties to take advantage of the UN Security Council meeting next week, to hold a direct dialogue between the parties and to avoid confrontation.
China has previously expressed support for Russia's "security suspicions" over Ukraine, but experts estimate that Beijing fears a military confrontation during the country's upcoming Winter Olympics and is willing to offer assistance in the diplomatic mediation process.
In Russia getting off the tree?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow's claim that "Russia does not want a war and there will be no war in Ukraine unless the United States escalates the situation." To settle for a NATO commitment not to place long-range missiles in Ukrainian territory, a claim that could constitute a "drop from the tree" in the demands Moscow placed on Washington.
On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said American responses to Russia's demands were unsatisfactory, but President Putin "will study the document (submitted by the Americans, PS) and make a decision."
Hidden motive, Vladimir Putin // Photo: AFP // Hidden motive, Vladimir Putin // Photo: AFP,
Meanwhile on the streets of Kiev there was a slight drop in tension, as city dwellers went out to spend the weekend in cafes and bars. "Right now, the threat of war is far from us," says Xenia - a mother of two and a teacher by profession, to a reporter for "Israel Today" in a cafe in the center of the capital, "We are more worried about rising prices, corruption and small salaries." Dmitry, a volunteer with Ukraine's regional defense force, believes the invasion threats are an attempt to create hysteria. "The price we pay for panic and anxiety is a kind of psychological war," he explains.
Meanwhile, the intensification of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border continues.
A document released by the New York Times reveals that the Russian military has been stationed at two more bases in western Belarus.
In addition, residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk rebel districts in eastern Ukraine holding Russian passports have been instructed to enlist in the Russian army and prepare to assist it.
It was also revealed that the US Embassy has updated the citizens of the country residing in Ukraine on ways in which it is possible to leave the land borders of Ukraine in case Russian military action begins.
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