Donetsk bombing reports US, NATO talking about ‘immediate threat of conflict’
According to the United States and NATO, fears of war in eastern Ukraine have been mounting for hours, with the risk of a Russian attack being “too high”, despite Moscow’s promises.
Jens Stoltenberg, Anthony Blinken, as well as German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock, all said – at least in words – that avoidance was “really possible” and that a provocation was enough to cause an explosion. They believe that this is what Moscow is planning to do to find the right excuse for the invasion.
At the same time, the President of Ukraine leaves clear tips for his allies, arguing that they are more or less reluctant to provide substantial assistance to Kiev in the face of the Russian threat.
Explosions in Donetsk
On Saturday night, several explosions were reported in the separatist-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.
According to a Reuters correspondent in the area, the origins of the blasts were unclear, but there were no immediate comments from separatist officials or Kiev.
NATO: “Full Russian offensive ready”
Speaking to German television network ART, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “There are all indications that Russia is planning a full-scale attack on Ukraine.”
“We all agree that the risk of attack is very high”, while the coalition has already announced the removal of its personnel from Kiev in the western city of Lviv.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blingen made similar statements to the Independent Russian Network Dodge TV.
“Unfortunately, we see what I predicted when I spoke with the SA a few days ago. The UN,” he said.
He cited Russian genocide allegations Point of conflict between Germany and Russia During the day, he noted that “this is completely wrong and offensive” and could have occupied the Donbass in the last 8 years if Ukraine wanted to. “It’s absolutely absurd to do that now surrounded by 150,000 players,” he added.
However, he said he was ready for a meeting with Sergei Lavrov on February 24 because the United States was ready to provide services to alleviate the situation.
For her part, speaking at a conference in Munich, German Foreign Minister Analina Berbach sought to reduce the risk of an attack, saying it was not yet clear whether Vladimir Putin had issued the order. However, he said: “The threat to Ukraine is real, but it would not be right to make assumptions in times of crisis.”
“But I urge you to look at the facts and avoid the elements of misinformation,” he added.
As part of diplomatic efforts to avert war, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday night and telephoned Vladimir Putin at 12 noon on Sunday (Greek time).
Volodymyr Zhelensky told his French envoy that he would not “respond” to Russia’s provocations in eastern Ukraine and was ready for a “negotiation” with Moscow.
Ellis, referring to “recent efforts to avoid a major conflict in Ukraine,” expressed his willingness not to respond to challenges in the line of communication.
Zhelensky culminates in times of crisis
However, there are all indications that the Ukrainian president is dissatisfied with the way Western nations are treating Russia and the threat of invasion. Then His sharp statements at the Munich ConferenceUkraine has raised clear doubts that the West does not want to join NATO and that Western security strategies need to be changed, and that sanctions against Russia must be announced before the start of the offensive.
And Moscow, he said, added, “We need to know what will happen if we have a war. We do not need sanctions after they start bombing us. If our country is destroyed, it has no borders, no economy. What should we do with them then?”
He added: If asked what to do, I have a list. You have to show the will first. “
“If we are not told now what we are going to do after the attack, how are they going to believe we will act later?”
The G7 is “worried” and threatening
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the seven strong economies issued a joint statement calling for the “unprovoked and unjustified formation of Russian troops”, “the biggest development on the European continent since the end of the Cold War is a challenge to the world.” And international order “.
“As we prepare to explore diplomatic solutions to legitimate security concerns, Russia has no doubt that any military attack on Ukraine will have enormous consequences, including economic and financial sanctions on a wide range of sectors and objectives.” It imposes serious and unprecedented costs on the Russian economy. “
However, without mentioning once again what those barriers will be.
And in the “front” row
However, everything shows that if it comes, it will be too late. Reports of clashes, bombings, provocations and incidents since Saturday morning have sometimes been confirmed and sometimes not increased.
Here it goes:
- More than 1,400 explosions took place on Friday in two parts of eastern Ukraine, where the Ukrainian government and separatists have been fighting since 2014 (Donbass and Donetsk), according to the OSCE, there has been a rapid increase in bombings.
- Ukrainian Interior Minister Denis Monastirsky was reportedly shot dead by Russian-backed separatists during a visit to the front line in Donbass. However, an Associated Press correspondent who was with them said he and his entourage were able to enter a shelter and protect themselves.
- The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense thanked Canada for sending the guns and surveillance systems.
- Buses and trains carrying civilians from eastern Ukraine continue to depart for Russia.
- France, Austria and Germany have called on their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately.
- Austrian Airlines will suspend its flights from Kiev and Odessa from February 20. Lufthansa will suspend flights from Kiev from February 21.
- The separatists of the Donetsk People’s Republic claimed that Ukrainian forces had bombed the other three settlements in the Donbass region, the villages of Harlyfka, Komunarovka and Dolomitne, and that the bombing was continuing.
- Television crews of the Russian-language channel RT Arabic reported a fire while reporting on the situation in the village of Zaichevo, about 300 meters from the border. RT reporter Maxim al-Duri assured that he and his colleagues would leave the area safely and be in good health.
- The Ukrainian military says mercenaries have joined forces with Russian secret services to carry out provocations in separatist-held eastern Ukraine. “The purpose of these challenges would, of course, be to accuse Ukraine of further aggravation,” Moscow said in a statement, but Moscow denied it.
- The Ukrainian military says shelling by civilians by Russian-speaking separatists has continued since Saturday morning. He also released a video of the bombings, claiming that ceasefire violations continued to be recorded.
- For its part, Russia accuses the Ukrainian military of shelling Russian territory from its control points in eastern Ukraine. She says the shell reached a distance of 300 meters from the house. Kiev denies the allegations, saying it was a lie used by Russia to justify an impending invasion.
