Here are some examples of what is happening and why.
MOSCOW, ALL EYES ON UKRAINE
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, said that Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart, told him that he didn’t intend to increase military tensions in Ukraine and that Moscow would not be keeping its troops in Belarus.
Macron spoke in Kyiv to Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, and said that Putin had told him that he would not be initiating an “escalation”. More than 100,000 Russian troops have been deployed in Ukraine. Russian troops in Belarus will likely increase to 30,000. The Russian troops are in Belarus for joint war exercises, which is fueling tensions.
Macron praised Ukraine’s “calm” as well as its “self-restraint” authorities and citizens. Tensions have impacted the currency and economy of Ukraine. Macron stated that Zelenskyy and Putin have confirmed their desire to implement the Minsk agreement. Macron stated that the 2015 peace agreement is “the only way to build peace.”
Macron is trying to revive the “Normandy Format”, peace talks that were intended to end nearly eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine, in which over 14,000 people have been killed. He stated that the four countries involved, Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine, will meet in Berlin on Thursday.
Zelenskyy stated that Macron was the central focus of his talks with him about “the peace process”.
After the meeting, he stated that he shared a common viewpoint with Macron regarding threats and challenges to Ukraine’s security.
The French leader went to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as Polish President Andrzej Duba, who plays an increasingly important diplomatic role and whose country borders Belarus and western Ukraine. Macron will also continue to have phone conversations with Putin.
THE DRUMS OF WAR GAME DRUG
Russia continues to exert military pressure. NATO allies are deploying troops and planning for a longer-term presence on Eastern Europe. This is done to deter Russia and not defend Ukraine.
According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, six large landing vessels were moving from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea. They will be participating in military exercises. Officials from the United States consider the landing craft a significant addition for the Russian naval force operating in the region.
For joint war games, the Russian military presence in Belarus is continuing to build up.
NATO’s chief warned that high-end fighter planes and S400 missile system were being deployed to Belarus. He now states that “enabling capabilities” such as command and control, logistics units, as well as field medical centres, are being established.
NATO allies are currently discussing plans to send battalions to Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. Although no decision has been made, it could mirror NATO’s presence in Estonia and Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. There, 5,000 troops have been deployed in a mission since 2016.
According to a defense ministry statement, Denmark said it is increasing military readiness as security deteriorates due to “unacceptable Russian military Pressure on Ukraine.”
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stated that Britain is willing to support NATO forces in Estonia and Latvia. Johnson stated that he is considering sending RAF Typhoon fighters along with Royal Navy warships to southeastern Europe.
Britain has sent 350 troops to Poland in support of NATO forces in Eastern Europe. NATO, as an organization, is not providing military support for Ukraine. However, some countries are supporting the Ukrainian armed forces. Anti-tank weapons have been sent by the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, the defense minister of Romania said that over 100 U.S. military personnel had already arrived in Romania in advance of the expected deployment of approximately 1,000 NATO troops in the coming days.
MEANWHILE, EASTERN UKRAINE
Germany’s foreign minister, who has been under pressure for its indifferent role in the conflict, visited the “line” in Ukraine’s Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces have faced off since 2014.
Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister, stated that she visited the region to get a sense of the situation and see the damage done.
Since 2014, Germany has donated approximately 1.8 billion euros to Ukraine in aid. Some have gone to assist those forced from their homes due to the fighting.
Baerbock stated that it was impossible to “solve this aggression from Russia militarily”. Therefore, I do everything I can for the sake of moving forward at the negotiating table.
She warned, however, that “at the same time, all members of the international community, through our joint action as well as the list of sanctions are doing everything possible to make it clear, any further military aggression by the Russian side will have huge consequences.”
