EU ‘extremely concerned’ Russia will use staged events as pretext for military escalation
The European Union is “extremely concerned” Russia will use staged events as a pretext for possible military escalation.
A press release by the Council of the European Union on Saturday said that it is witnessing an “intensification” of information manipulation to support a possible military escalation.
“The EU is also witnessing an intensification of information manipulation efforts to support such objectives. In this context, we firmly express our support for the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission, whose observers play a key role in de-escalation efforts. This mission must be allowed to carry out its full mandate without restrictions to its activities and freedom of movement to the benefit and security of the people in eastern Ukraine,” the press release states.
The European Union also said that it sees “no grounds” for the allegations of a Ukrainian attack on the non-governmental controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
In describing the build-up of armed Russian forces “in and around Ukraine,” the European Union said that it “remains of grave concern,” and urged Russia to de-escalate and withdrawal military forces around Ukraine.
The European Union added that the current escalation is “now compounded by the increase in ceasefire violations along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine in recent days.”
“The EU condemns the use of heavy weaponry and indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, which constitute a clear violation of the Minsk agreements and international humanitarian law. We commend Ukraine’s posture of restraint in the face of continued provocations and efforts at destabilisation,” the press release states.
President Biden will convene a meeting of the National Security Council, discussing Ukraine
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Biden will be convening a meeting of the National Security Council on Sunday regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
President Biden’s national security team reaffirmed that Russia could begin an attack against Ukraine “at any time.”
“This afternoon, the President received an update on the Vice President’s meetings at the Munich Security Conference with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, European Commission President von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, leaders of the Baltic states (Prime Minister Kallas of Estonia, President Levits of Latvia, and President Nauseda of Lithuania), Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece, and leaders of other Allies and partners,” Psaki said.
Putin wants Ukraine to become a “neutral buffer zone”: Russian observers
Russian observers are saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to become a “neutral buffer zone.”
Interfax is also reporting that Russia’s investigative committee is sending experts to Rstov, Russia to interview individuals who evacuated from the Donbas region in Ukraine, where breakaway republics have been in armed conflict with the Ukrainian army dating back to 2014.
“Experienced investigators and criminologists, based on the testimonies of victims of the actions of…
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