According to CNN, Moscow said it had ended “rapid inspections” of troops in the east and west of the country. Illustration. Source: CNN The process of rallying Russian troops along the border in recent weeks has created tensions in eastern Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the country’s army has completed drills near Ukraine and will return to its permanent base before May 1. “I am confident that the exercise objectives are completed. The military has demonstrated its ability to provide a reliable defense force to the country,” Shoigu said at a meeting in Crimea. Shoigu’s announcement came weeks after Moscow initiated the largest military surge near Ukraine’s border since 2014. The European Union estimates that more than 100,000 troops have gathered near the border and in Crimea. However, the announcement does not specify how many troops will remain in the area after Moscow intends to withdraw before May 1. US Department of Defense spokesman Ned Price confirmed that the US would continue to closely monitor the situation along with Ukrainian officials and other allies. “What we are looking for now is action on the Russian side,” said Ned Price. “We have made clear our commitment to the Russian government, reaffirming efforts to curb the escalation and immediately cease all provocations around Ukraine, including military mobilization. Crimea and the Ukrainian border as well as its intention to block ships in the Black Sea, “Pricwe said at a press conference. Russian state news agency TASS said that some weapons from the 41st Army, including tanks and heavy artillery, will be left in preparation for the Russian-Belarus strategic military exercise Zapad 2021 taking place in May. Nine years now. The move is believed to have caused Russia to increase fire tensions on the Ukrainian border more than before. It is too early to reduce escalation Conflict Intelligence (CIT) says it is too early to assess the de-escalation process in this area. “Russian forces staying in the Ukraien border are still in danger of deploying east of Ukraine, while a large-scale invasion of the government-controlled territory will inevitably still have to mobilize more forces to the border. “Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) said on Twitter. On April 20, the Russian Defense Ministry said more than 20 ships took part in the exercise in the Black Sea – bordering both countries. “A ship unit comprising the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen frigates; the small missile ships Grayvoron and Vyshny Volochek with the missile ships; the small anti-submarine and large amphibious ships conducted the exercises. repulsion of the enemy’s aerial attack vehicles. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said the Russian military was ready to react quickly to any “adverse” developments amid NATO’s ongoing Defender Europe military exercises. NATO’s Defender Europe 2021 exercise is an annual multinational exercise led by the US military to prepare for readiness and interoperability between the United States and the military of NATO partners. The exercise was canceled last year due to the complicated developments of the epidemic. “Each year in Europe, the alliance organizes more than 40 major combat drills with a focus on dealing with Russian challenges. In the spring of this year, NATO’s joint armed forces began the exercises. The biggest ambitious match in 30 years “, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. The NATO alliance expressed deep concern about Russia’s military deployment near Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg last week described the move as part of a provocation from Russia. “Allies fully support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge Russia to immediately de-escalate, stop provocative actions and respect international commitments,” said Shoigu. to speak. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week invited President Vladimir Putin to a meeting in Donbass, urging his Russian counterpart to restore a ceasefire in the eastern region that put “millions of lives” at stake. “President Putin said he is ready to discuss bilateral relations with President Zelensky in the Russian capital,” TASS reported. Ukraine is calling for increased international support in a state of tension with Moscow while calling on the West to introduce new sanctions to prevent the Kremlin from deploying more military forces.

According to the Russia Today report, after the sudden inspection of Russian forces stationed at the border with Ukraine on April 13, Russian Defense Minister Shoigu stated that the Russian army is ready for the worst scenario, that is is if tensions between Russia and the West escalate to the point of full-scale engagement.

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu. Source: Sina.

According to the report, after that inspection, Minister Shoigu told reporters that the soldiers had met the standards needed to respond to the situation. “The soldiers have shown that they are well prepared and fully competent to complete the task of ensuring the military security of the country,” said Mr. Shoigu.

He also added that this force is conducting an exercise in the border area.

Shoigu said the military deployment was “in response to the joint military operations that threaten Russia”. He also added, “Washington’s troops are moving from the North American continent to Europe across the Atlantic and they are crossing Europe into the Russian border. The main force is concentrated in the Black Sea area. and the Baltic Sea “.

According to the report, Mr. Shoigu also stated that the conflict between Russia and the West is forming a new front line in the Arctic: “To strengthen the defenses of the Russian Federation and protect its national interests in the North Pole. The North Pole, the Department of Defense is working systematically to improve the Northern Fleet’s Combat capabilities. “

Shoigu’s tough statement was made in the context of President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin held a telephone call on April 13, the two leaders discussed many regional and global issues, including the situation Ukraine, however, the two sides did not achieve any results on this issue.

The US side continued to emphasize America’s firm commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressed concern about Russia’s sudden military increase in Crimea and Ukraine’s borders, and urged Russia to de-escalate. straight.

With that in mind, NATO is planning to dispatch some 40,000 troops and 15,000 different weapons, including strategic aircraft, to gather near the Russian border. NATO also recently launched its biggest 30-year drills exercise called Defender Europe 2021 near Russia. According to Mr. Shoigu, NATO’s actions clearly carry “anti-Russian tendencies”.

In particular, NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg said on April 13 that Russia does not have the right to interfere in Ukraine’s accession to NATO, whether or not Kiev can join is due to the decision of 30 NATO member countries.

Shortly thereafter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued on April 14 to emphasize that Washington would stand side by side with Kiev in tensions with Russia. Blinken also announced that he would discuss Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, despite Moscow’s objections.

On the Ukraine side, Mr. Andriy Yermak, chief of the Ukraine Presidential Office, said in an interview with Time magazine: “Ukraine is against Russia not only for itself but also for Western countries”. Therefore, it is necessary to deploy the US Patriot air defense missile system on the territory of Ukraine.

“Where does the US deploy Patriot missiles? Most recently in Poland. They should be deployed here,” said Andriy Yermak.

According to the report, in December 2014, Ukraine amended its law to give up its non-alignment. In June 2016, Ukraine saw its accession to NATO as a foreign policy goal. In February 2019, the National Assembly of Ukraine approved a constitutional amendment, which clearly defines Ukraine’s policy on joining the European Union and NATO.

These moves show that the tense situation in eastern Ukraine is on the verge of turning into a large-scale conflict between Russia and the US and NATO. Experts say that the US and Russia are playing the “craters of war” game, the party who “goes into the water” first will be the loser.

Russia in response?

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted by Russian media on April 13 as saying that Moscow was taking measures in response to a threatening military action by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in which has combat readiness testing and training.

The Russian Defense Minister stated clearly, NATO is planning to deploy 40,000 troops and 15,000 weapons and military equipment near the Russian border, including the strategic air force. Mr. Shoigu further announced that the US is moving part of its North American garrison to Europe, which is mainly concentrated in the area near the Black Sea and Baltic Sea.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu

Shoigu, the TASS news agency, accused the US of increasing forces in Poland and the Baltic countries, and increasing the frequency of air and sea reconnaissance activities. He asserted that on European territory, NATO annually conducts about 40 large-scale combat training operations against Russia. This spring, NATO launched its largest-scale military exercise in the past 30 years, titled Defender Europe 2021 (Defender Europe 2021).

Mr. Shoigu stressed that Russia is taking measures to respond to NATO’s threatening military activities. The combined Russian large-scale airborne and joint military exercises have demonstrated the ability to be ready to fight to protect the country’s security.

Also on April 13, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Russia to withdraw troops that the alliance thinks Moscow is deploying on a large scale on the border with Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Mr. Stoltenberg said: “In recent weeks Russia has dispatched thousands of troops ready to operate in Ukraine’s border areas. This is the largest troop surge since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 … Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, immediately stop provocations and go downstairs. “.

US troops in NATO are deployed to Poland

A day earlier, Mr. Stoltenberg had a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss “Russia’s move to strengthen the army near the Ukrainian border”. According to a statement by the US State Department, Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary General Stoltenberg discussed an urgent request for Russia to stop its military build-up along the border areas of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula.

President Vladimir Putin has also voiced denunciation of NATO conducting exercises on the Russian border and America’s intention to expand its influence over former Soviet members. In April, up to 5 out of 10 NATO exercises will be held in member states in the East.

NATO says it’s good …

According to Ukraine, Russia has deployed 46 tactical battalions – about 105,000 troops – along the border with Ukraine and in Crimea, and is provided with 19,000 tons of fuel and 355 tons of ammunition. Kiev urges allies not to repeat the 2014 “mistake” with events in Crimea and Donbass.

During a press conference with US and Western officials in Brussels, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: “Strategically, Russia must understand that Ukraine belongs to the world of democracies, to the Western world, and the West will not let Russia disrupt Ukraine’s democracy and sovereignty.

Ukrainian soldiers

Western analysts say that both Russia and Ukraine may be “trying” the new US President Joe Biden to see how far he is willing to go to protect Washington’s allies and confront Russia. There are also comments that Russia wants to send a message to Ukraine after Kive imposed sanctions on congressman and businessman Viktor Medvedchuk, and banned three TV channels related to Mr. Medvedchuk.

Up to this point, the West still believes that a full-blown Russian strike or a NATO-backed attack against the separatists will not happen at this time. “NATO members will not send any forces to Ukraine,” said expert Bruno Lete, a senior researcher at the German Marshall Fund – a US research agency. the term is in political messaging, military advice and technical assistance. “

Many analysts believe that NATO allies would not be willing to engage their forces in a conflict against Moscow because of the Ukraine issue, but they could strengthen other forms of assistance. On April 14, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said: “My impression is that the Russian side is trying to do whatever it takes to provoke a response … With Ukraine, we will not be caught up in the process. play this “.

From Crimea to Syria and most recently Nagorny-Karabakh, Russia has demonstrated its determination and unpredictable combat capabilities.

Most observers believe that the current situation will not necessarily lead to an immediate attack, but Russia’s intentions are still unclear, according to politico.eu. very worrying. The West believes that Russian President Putin wants to remain unpredictable, so there is little risk of a completely unexpected war, but there is always a risk of miscalculation or overreaction.

On the Russian side, some analysts in this country said that the outbreak was “a direct result of the internal political situation in Ukraine”. The Russian Expert newspaper assessed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took drastic measures such as fighting the opposition media allegedly pro-Russia, punishing billionaire Medvedchuk who allegedly has close ties to the Kremlin, or ban Russian language in schools aimed at regaining its image in the country.

Meanwhile, the World Socialist Web Site contains information proving that Ukraine, the US and the West are acting “aggressive, provocative” against Russia. Accordingly, Kiev in early March adopted a strategy to “withdraw the Crimean peninsula”. On March 25, President Zelensky also adopted a new military strategy emphasizing the urgency of mobilizing the entire population in a war against Russia in Ukraine. This strategy recognizes that Ukraine can only win with NATO support and no less than 19 mentions of its intention to join the military alliance.