There are concerns that the so-called ‘New Cold War’ may be repeated as Western countries, including the United States, respond to Russia’s policy of dispatching troops to conflict zones in Ukraine with high-strength sanctions.
As YTN reporters looked down at the border from the sky, there was a long line of vehicles trying to leave Ukraine.
Connect with local reporters. Reporter Lee Seung-yoon!
[기자]
Yes, it is listed at the Polish Medica border checkpoint.
[앵커]
There are speculations that a new Cold War front in the 21st century has been formed between Russia, which has announced plans to send troops to Ukraine, and the West, which has faced sanctions.
[기자]
Yes, it is.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported the rebel offensive, saying the Russian Senate has approved the deployment of troops abroad and that the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics of Donbas territories include both administrative divisions controlled by Ukraine.
It was also confirmed that military vehicles, barracks, and heavy equipment transport vehicles were seen in southern Belarus and western Russia, which border Ukraine, to reinforce troops in the border region.
In response, the U.S. declared Russia’s decision as an aggression stage and announced the first sanctions measures, including a complete blockade of two Russian banks.
It also plans to deploy 800 US infantrymen to the Baltic region, up to eight F-35 fighters to the NATO eastern operational area, and an additional 32 AH-64 Apache helicopters to the Baltic region and Poland.
Listen to the words of the Polish Defense Minister.
[마리우시 브와슈차크 / 폴란드 국방장관 : 나토의 우익을 강화할 미국 증원군을 환영하고 영국군의 증원도 환영합니다. 최대한 지원하고 협조하겠습니다.]
[앵커]
There was hope that a high-level meeting between the United States and Russia would reach a final conclusion, but diplomatic efforts also seem to be futile.
[기자]
Yes, the United States abruptly canceled the foreign ministers’ meeting with Russia scheduled for the 24th local time.
The White House also urged Russia to withdraw its troops, saying the summit was out of sight.
As the European Union participates in sanctions once morest Russia in earnest, Germany has decided to suspend the ‘Nord Stream-2’ gas pipeline connection project with Russia.
The UK has also decided to impose sanctions on Russian banks and individuals involved in the Ukraine crisis.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky has issued an order to call up reserve forces.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly criticized the Russian military, saying it is by no means a peacekeeper.
[앵커]
It was said that he had exclusively obtained a video of the border in the sky at the height of the threat of war in Ukraine.
[기자]
Yes, there must have been a lot of people who were curious regarding the local situation as we mightn’t show the situation in Ukraine beyond the border while delivering local news at the Medica checkpoint here.
In the drone footage of Ukraine beyond the border, obtained exclusively by YTN reporters, there is a long line of vehicles trying to escape to Poland.
It is interpreted that departure procedures at the border have become more difficult as Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized foreign embassies and local businessmen for leaving Ukraine for safety reasons.
On the other hand, in the direction from Poland to Ukraine, there are only regarding 10 cars standing in stark contrast.
So far, there has been no large-scale influx from Ukraine to Poland.
However, as previously reported, there was a hoarding phenomenon in some areas of Poland and Ukraine, and the mart ‘Biedronka’ next to the Medica border checkpoint was crowded with Ukrainian customers from early morning.
It was like buying a bunch of toilet paper, butter, pork, flour, coffee, diapers, and other daily necessities that might become difficult to obtain if borders were closed following the war.
[앵커]
I’m also concerned regarding the situation of our residents, but there are still dozens of people left?
[기자]
Yes, it is.
Currently, there are a total of 63 Koreans remaining in Ukraine.
A total of 36 people have expressed their intention to withdraw, and regarding 10 of them will withdraw this week.
Since the 16th, the government has set up a temporary liaison office in Psemisil, near the border between Lviv, Ukraine and Poland, to support the evacuation of Koreans by land.
Korean Ambassador to Poland Lim Hoon-min said, “We are seeking countermeasures through local residents’ meetings until dawn in Ukraine so that even one of our Koreans can evacuate more safely.”
So far this is Seungyoon Lee from YTN at the border between Ukraine and Poland.
YTN Lee Seung-yoon (risungyoon@ytn.co.kr)
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