Russia has withdrawn only a few thousand troops from the border with Ukraine, most of whom remain near the area. This was stated by senior officials of the administration of US President Joe Biden.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – May 6, 2021 – Ukraine News
The publication, citing senior Pentagon officials, reports that about 80,000 Russian troops have remained near various parts of the country’s border with Ukraine, which is still the largest increase in Russian forces since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
According to officials, the Russian military did order some units to return to the barracks by May 1 – and they did withdraw from the border. But many units have left their trucks and armored vehicles – “a signal that they may return if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to deploy them again,” the newspaper said.
At the same time, it is noted that representatives of the US presidential administration perceive the constant presence of troops on the border with Ukraine as a signal from Putin that he can compare – and in fact, exceed – the number of troops participating in the US and NATO exercises in Europe.
The US-led exercise called Defender Europe officially began on Tuesday. It includes about 28,000 troops from the United States and allies who will take part in the maneuvers over the next two months in Europe. And next month, NATO will hold another Steadfast Defender-21 exercise in Romania and Portugal.
Military analysts believe that the deployment of Putin’s troops was clearly intended to show itself, especially at the beginning of Biden’s presidency.
U.S. officials, for their part, say they are still unsure of the purpose of Putin’s troop build-up and his decision not to complete the withdrawal announcement.
Some US officials think that the deployment is mainly aimed at “catching the United States and Europe on a bluff – and clarifying for Kyiv the limits of Western support,” the journalists wrote. According to these officials, Russia wants to provoke a reaction from the West, but a reaction that will not live up to the expectations of the Ukrainian government.
“It simply came to our notice then. The United States has said it is ready to impose new sanctions on Moscow and has expressed strong support for Ukraine. But the Biden administration has not taken any steps to advance to NATO membership or significantly increase military aid to Kyiv, ”the authors of the article point out.
It is also noted that the water supply of Crimea remains a key point of friction. Senior US officials believe that the intrusion into the water supply system remains a real threat.
But the water problem has been brewing for seven years, and Russia has never taken such steps to seize control of the water supply, journalists say.
The Biden administration may increase military aid to Ukraine to counter Moscow. But it requires balance, said senior officials in the Biden administration. The trick is to strengthen the Ukrainian army so that Russia’s invasion looks like a difficult task, but not to such an extent that Russia will feel threatened and, in its opinion, will have to act.
At the end of March, Ukraine pointed to the strengthening of the Russian military contingent along the border with Ukraine.
Such actions by Russia have caused concern in the West and NATO.
According to the EU-Ukraine leadership, Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders and in the occupied Crimea.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu explained the concentration of servicemen in these areas by “control checks.”
Moscow on April 22 announced the withdrawal of troops.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi then pointed out that Ukraine is always vigilant, but welcomes any steps to reduce the military presence and de-escalate the situation in Donbas.
Read also: Why Zelensky Invited Putin to Donbass
Source: Ukrgate
