Ukraine has requested a meeting with Russia and other members of a major European security group to discuss the increasing tensions and Russian military buildup on its eastern border.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, claimed Russia has rejected official pleas to justify the army buildup. Afterwards, he added, he asked for a meeting within the next 48 hours so that Russia’s intentions could be laid bare.
Despite the presence of 100,000 Russian soldiers on Ukraine’s borders, Russia has denied any preparations to invade. With the US warning that Moscow may commence aircraft bombardments “at any time,” more than a dozen countries have encouraged their people to flee Ukraine.
On the BBC, Ukraine’s ambassador in London, Vadym Prystaiko, indicated that Ukraine was prepared to be “flexible” on its desire to join NATO, which would have been a big concession for Russia.
Even if Ukraine has made the constitutional promise to join Nato, it is up to Nato’s “readiness itself” whether or not it would accept Ukraine as a member.
In a statement, British Defense Minister James Heappey stated that his country would back Ukraine in whatever decision it made. Using the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ukraine has asked Russia to justify its army buildup.
OSCE members are allowed to inquire about a member’s military actions under the Vienna Document, which Russia is a signatory to. Because of this, Mr Kuleba asserted, Russia must fulfil its promise to military openness if it truly believes in the interdependence of security in the OSCE zone.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticised the “panic” that may spread from such accusations, said he had not seen any evidence that Russia was planning an invasion in the next few days.
On Sunday, he chatted with US President Joe Biden for over an hour on the phone. There was an agreement between the White House and Ukraine on “the need of continuing to seek diplomacy and deterrence,” the White House stated in a statement.
According to a statement released by the Ukrainian government, President Zelensky praised President Biden for his “unwavering support” and urged him to visit Ukraine. On the invitation, there has been no response from the White House.
There was also an hour-long phone discussion between the presidents of the United States and Russia which failed to produce a breakthrough.
