So far, however, the secret services have not come to the conclusion “that the Russians have finally decided to take military action in Ukraine”. Sullivan called on Moscow to de-escalate and reduce troops in the area. The US national security adviser said: “We and our allies are prepared for any eventuality.”
This applies both to diplomatic negotiations and in the event that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks military escalation. “We have made Russia very clear about the costs and consequences of further military action or destabilizing Ukraine.”
Sullivan again threatened Moscow with economic and financial sanctions, with export control measures and with an armament of Ukraine “if the Russian military crosses the Ukrainian border”.
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Shortly after the crisis talks, the Russian military held new maneuvers. The Defense Ministry announced on Friday in the capital Moscow that there had been an unannounced review of combat readiness in the East Military District.
Western countries, on the other hand, are alarmed about the Russian troop deployment near Ukraine.
(Photo: dpa)
It released a video that showed convoys of military vehicles and how tanks were loaded onto railroad cars. Soldiers were taken to remote training areas. A focus was also on the infrastructure “to ensure the transport of troops within a certain time,” it said.
Also on Friday morning, Ukraine reported a massive cyber attack on government websites. According to the authorities, some of the websites were not accessible after the attack at night.
The pages of the Foreign Ministry, the cabinet and the Security and Defense Council are affected. The Ministry of Education and Science reported that its website was also not accessible “due to a global attack on the night of January 13-14, 2022”. Security authorities were not immediately available for comment.
Representatives of the 30 NATO countries and Russia held talks on Wednesday for the first time in two and a half years – about the Ukraine conflict and security guarantees that Moscow is demanding from the transatlantic military alliance. There was also a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday. A high-level meeting of representatives of Russia and the United States was held in Geneva on Monday.
Russia sees its security threatened by NATO and is therefore demanding an end to NATO’s eastward expansion and, in particular, a renunciation of Ukraine’s membership. The US categorically rejects such a commitment. Western countries, on the other hand, are alarmed about the Russian troop deployment near Ukraine.
Sullivan said: “The talks were open and direct, they were useful.” The US would now consult with its allies on how to proceed. There are currently no dates for new talks with Russia. Moscow was disappointed by the negotiations. According to the Interfax agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there were no new talks with the United States for the time being.
Baerbock for further talks with Russia
Despite the lack of results so far, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock advocated continuing talks with Russia. “Even if there have been no real movements at the moment, it is important that we finally return to the dialogue table,” said the Green politician on Thursday at the sidelines of an EU meeting in Brest, France. “The important thing is that we are sitting at the table, that talks are being held now. And that – even if it is hard – with a lot of patience and perseverance.”
Regarding the possible stationing of Russian troops in Cuba and Venezuela, Sullivan said: “If Russia were to move in this direction, we would act decisively.” He did not give details. The government in Moscow had not ruled out such a step if talks on binding security guarantees failed.
It is not yet clear whether there could be compromises. In Brest, Baerbock did not want to comment specifically on the question of whether, in her view, Russia’s demand for the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from countries like Germany should be discussed. “Questions of disarmament must and should be discussed. But now that we’re seated at the table, I’m not openly commenting on any individual considerations,” she said.
She has already had her inaugural visit in Washington, and Annalena Baerbock is expected in Moscow soon.
(Photo: AP)
Baerbock wants to travel to Moscow next week and meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov there. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, this will be Lavrov’s first personal meeting with the new German Foreign Minister.
In view of concerns about a Russian attack on Ukraine, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, also expects support from the German government. However, Germany is reluctant to supply its country with defensive weapons – in his view, for fear of further provoking Putin. “This position is difficult to understand,” he said “Bild”.
Regarding the US-Russia security negotiations in Ukraine without his country’s direct involvement, Klitschko said it was a slap in the face. The US has assured that no decisions about Ukraine will be made in negotiations with Russia without involving the country.
More: The Russian threatening gestures on the border with Ukraine have alarmed politicians in the Nordic countries. However, the governments reject NATO membership.