Russia does not want a war in Europe, as stated by the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin: “If we want a war? Of course not”the president stated when commenting on the current tension on the border between Russia and Ukraine at a press conference in Moscow after his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In this sense, Putin has assured that Russia has presented proposals for negotiations on European security, and hopes that the result will be an agreement that responds to the interests of all parties. Thus, despite the fact that he considers that Russia has not received a constructive response, confident in continuing the dialogue.
These proposals include the negotiation of disarmament agreements as long as a Russian military de-escalation begins in Ukraine. Nevertheless, Putin stresses that the negotiations must take into account one of his great concerns: refuse the possibility of Ukraine’s accession to NATO. “They talk about how it won’t be tomorrow. When? The day after tomorrow? What changes?”asserted the president, who assures that for Russia “it may be too late.”
The head of the Kremlin exemplified the case with the war in Yugoslavia: “We have witnessed the war in Europe unleashed by the NATO bloc against Yugoslavia. A great military operation with bombardments of one of the European capitals, Belgrade”, he stated.
In response to whether Russia will continue to withdraw troops from close to Ukraine’s borders, Putin has insisted that it will depend on the situation. “How is Russia going to act? According to the plan. And what does it consist of? From the real situation on the ground,” he said, adding: “Who can say how the situation will develop? Nobody, for now. It depends not only on us“.
For the moment, Russia has already announced the beginning of the return to their permanent headquarters of the units that have already concluded their exercises in the military constituencies West and South, both bordering Ukraine.
At the same time, he pointed out that the Russian Armed Forces “continue extensive activities for the preparation of troops, in which practically all military constituencies participate, fleets and airborne troops“.
Total, Russia has about 100,000 soldiers deployed on the border with Ukraine and conducts military exercises in the Black Sea and in Belarus, a few kilometers from Kiev, which increases concern in the West.
Source: Lasexta
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