Russia estimated that there is a “possibility” of resolving the Ukrainian crisis thanks to dialogue with Western countries and announced the end of some military maneuvers, in the midst of a crisis unprecedented since the Cold War. However, the United States government assured this Monday that He has not seen “any concrete sign” of de-escalation on the part of Moscow. With fears of a possible invasion of Ukraine growing, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russia to take advantage of “dialogue offers” to defuse the crisis. Scholz is visiting Kiev and is scheduled to travel to Moscow on Tuesday to meet with Vladimir Putin.
Russia is open to dialogue
Taking distance from the offensive statements of recent daysthe head of Russian diplomacy, Serguei Lavrovconsidered on Monday that “there is a possibility” of “solving the problems”. The path of dialogue “has not been exhausted, but neither can it last indefinitely”Lavrov added, stressing that Russia is ready to “listen to serious counterproposals.”
“It’s fine,” Putin agreed from the head of a long meeting table, separated several meters from Lavrov by health precautionary measures, as indicated by the Kremlin. The Russian president was interested in whether the response to the proposals of the United States and NATO to the demands for security guarantees was prepared, among which is the demand that neither Ukraine nor any other former Soviet republic be part of the alliance. atlantic Lavrov replied that the 10-page response document had already been drafted.
Ukraine in favor of joining NATO
Russia, which already annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and supports pro-Russian armed separatists in eastern Ukraine, denies any intention to invade its neighbor, but links the de-escalation to a series of demands, starting with the guarantee that the NATO will not admit Ukraine as a member. “We believe that joining NATO would guarantee our security and our territorial integrity”assured Zelenski in that sense.
Western countries consider that the Russian requests are unacceptable, but they propose to increase the field of dialogue and extend it to other issues such as arms control. While they are still waiting for some hypothetical advance in the diplomatic field, in the southeast of Ukraine, near the border line with the pro-Russian separatists, the population has begun to mobilize in case an attack were to take place. “We are digging trenches that Ukrainian soldiers can easily jump into and defend themselves.”explained Mijailo Anopa, 15 years old.
Zelenski decreed this Monday a “day of unity” for next Wednesday, which according to the media would be the possible date of a Russian attack. “We have been told that February 16 will be the day of the attack. We will turn it into a day of unity”said the Ukrainian president in a speech to the nation, in which he asked his citizens that on that day hang the national flag and show the blue and yellow colors of the country.
In Kiev, on the other hand, there was no sense of panic. But Yuri Fedinski, a 46-year-old musician, decided to leave the east of the country for the United States, together with his pregnant wife and their four children. “We took them to learn English in an American school, an alternative to what Putin want for Ukraine,” Fedinski said from the Kiev airport.
Germany threatens sanctions
During his trip to the Ukrainian capital, Scholzwho did not comment on the latest Russian government statements, warned that “no one should doubt the determination and preparation of the European Union” to react in the event of an attack by Russia.
“We will take far-reaching measures that will have a significant impact on the possibilities of economic development in Russia. That is what I will underline tomorrow in Moscow,” warned the German chancellor. “Military activity on the Ukrainian border has no justification for us. There are no reasonable grounds for such a military deployment,” he pointed out.
Scholz also pointed out that Zelensky promised him to present the bills on the special status and the electoral elections in the secessionist territories of Donbass, where pro-Russian separatists supported by Moscow and the Ukrainian Army have been facing each other since 2014.
Johnson and Biden, between the “prolonged crisis” and the “diplomatic window”
In parallel, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnsonand the president of the United States, Joe Bidenheld a telephone dialogue on Monday in which both anticipated a “protracted crisis for Russia” if it invades Ukrainian territory. An attack would cause “far-reaching” damage to both Moscow and the rest of the world, both leaders stressed, according to a Downing Street spokesman.
Johnson and Biden were both convinced that A “crucial” diplomatic “window” is still open to reduce tension in Ukraine. “Western allies must remain united in the face of Russian threats” and support a “significant sanctions package” in case the Kremlin launches an attack on Ukrainian territory, they argued.
Both leaders indicated that European countries must reduce their dependence on Russian gas, a move that “more than any other, would strike at the center of Russia’s strategic interests.” Previously, Johnson had considered that Russia could invade Ukraine “in a matter of 48 hours” and urged President Putin to step back from the “precipice”.
The United States government assured this Monday that it does not observe “any concrete sign” of de-escalation. “We need de-escalation for diplomacy to advance”remarked Ned PriceState Department spokesman, at a press conference.
Asked about comments from Lavrov regarding the possibilities of an agreement with the United States and NATO on “key issues” of the security guarantees demanded by Moscow, the US official stressed his skepticism. “If Minister Lavrov’s words are followed by concrete signs of de-escalation, of course we would welcome them”Price noted.
Shortly before, Washington announced that it began the process to “temporarily relocate” its embassy in Ukraine, that it will cease its operations in the capital, Kiev, and will move to the largest city in the west of the country, Lviv, near the border with Poland. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday in a statement that he ordered this measure out of “prudence” and to guarantee “the safety of his diplomatic staff” in the nation.