Russia sends “very dangerous” signals according to Ukrainian President – South West

Russia is sending “very dangerous” signals to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday (November 26th), while Moscow is accused for deploying new troops at the border.

“We believe that a very dangerous rhetoric comes from Russia,” which also accuses Kiev of undermining the peace process with pro-Russian separatists in the east, he told a press conference. “This is the signal […] that an escalation is possible, ”he said.

“Today there is intimidation that there will be war tomorrow,” Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference. “We are fully ready,” he continued.

In recent weeks, the United States, NATO and the European Union have continued to express their concern about Russian troop movements around Ukraine, fearing a possible invasion, Moscow denying any plan in this direction. . Russia, on the other hand, accuses Kiev, the West and NATO to worsen tensions by conducting maneuvers near the Russian borders.

A potential offensive in early 2022

Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Boudanov said on Sunday that Russia had massed nearly 92,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders, anticipating an offensive in late January or early February.

“We must rely on ourselves, on our army, it is powerful”, argued Friday the Ukrainian president, questioned on the potential support of the West in Kiev in the event of Russian attack.

Eastern Ukraine has been plagued since 2014 by a war between Kiev and pro-Russian separatists, which erupted shortly after Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and has since claimed more than 13,000 lives. Despite its denials, Russia is considered the godfather of the pro-Russian separatists and is accused of providing them with men and weapons.

While the Ukrainian army was overwhelmed in 2014, it now appears more confident and better equipped, in particular thanks to the help of Western allies.