The United States and Europe call on Russia to stop the escalation

In light of the massive buildup of Russian forces near Ukraine, there are fears in the West that Russia may be planning an invasion of the neighboring country – something Moscow denies. It is also possible that fears will be fueled only in order to persuade NATO countries to make concessions when demanding new security guarantees. For example, Russia’s stated goal is for NATO to refrain from expanding eastward and withdraw its armed forces from the eastern coalition countries. NATO and the United States are by far the strongest and most militarily allied nation, and the European Union rejects these demands as unacceptable.

Biden, Schulz, Macron, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Polish President Andrzej Duda, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union Council President Charles Michel joined a video conference. together to discuss the situation.

German government spokesman Stephen Hebestreet said afterwards that the group “affirmed its absolute support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”. Everyone agreed that the issues of security and stability in Europe should be resolved through negotiations.

Biden spoke of a “very good meeting” and a “full deal” with European heads of state and government. The White House said the committee discussed joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including preparations to impose “disastrous consequences and significant economic costs on Russia for such actions, as well as enhancing security on NATO’s eastern flank.”

The US government recently announced that it has put about 8,500 US troops on increased standby in response to the escalating Ukraine crisis. According to the US Department of Defense, no decision has yet been taken on the transfer of these forces to Europe.

Meanwhile, many NATO member states are sending ships and military aircraft eastward. In a statement, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg welcomed the deployment of more Allied forces to the eastern part of the alliance in a video conference Monday night. He called for improving the Alliance’s situational awareness and strengthening collective defense and deterrence in light of the current situation.

The EU Commission announced that the participants in the discussion wanted the diplomacy to be a success, but were preparing anyway. Von der Leyen underlined the EU’s strong support for Ukraine in the transition. It was also about the plan for a new loan package of 1.2 billion euros and 120 million euros in additional grants. After the deliberations, Michel tweeted: “We will remain steadfast and closed.”

Schulz said before switching the video that the conversation was a “good sign of close cooperation” between allies in the conflict. “The situation is serious, but not just today, but for several days, weeks and months.” This is why it is important to act as one. The Ukraine crisis is likely to play a major role in Schulz’s meeting with Macron on Tuesday.

In turn, representatives of Russia and Ukraine want to meet in Paris for talks. On Monday, it was said from the Elysee circles that a meeting at the advisory level in the so-called Normandy format should be held with France and Germany. In terms of substance, it should be a matter of negotiating humanitarian measures and setting a date when Ukraine and the separatists will legally discuss the Donbass situation. It should also be about Ukraine’s considerations for the time after the planned reintegration of the breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine.

France and Germany are mediating the Normandy-shaped conflict between Ukraine and Russia that has been going on since 2014. However, the peace plan agreed in Minsk in 2015 is pending. According to United Nations estimates, more than 14,000 people were killed in the fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Kremlin separatists in the Donbass region of Ukraine. Western countries have recently repeatedly expressed concern that the conflict could escalate militarily if Russian forces invade.

On the other hand, Russia holds the West responsible for the escalating tensions in the conflict with Ukraine. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied planning an attack on Ukraine. He accused the West of an anti-Russian “media campaign” and “hysteria”. Instead, the increased risk of an “attack” comes from the Ukrainian side.