US President Joe Biden urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to reduce escalation and engage in the diplomatic track, while Russia handed the US military attache in Moscow a note of protest once morest a US submarine’s “violation” of its territorial waters, amid continuing military exercises and calls by dozens of countries to leave Ukraine.
And the White House said in a statement that the US President discussed – in an hour-long phone call – with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the latest developments in the situation in Ukraine, in a move to defuse tension over the Ukrainian file.
According to the statement, Biden confirmed to Putin That Washington and its allies would immediately incur a heavy cost to Russia if it invaded Ukraine, andRussia’s invasion of Ukraine would result in massive human suffering and lower Russia’s standing.
For its part, the Kremlin said that President Putin agreed with the US President to continue the dialogue, adding that the dialogue between the two presidents was balanced and pragmatic.
He added that Putin, during the call with Biden, denounced what he described as false information regarding the alleged Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He pointed out that Putin told Biden that the West was not applying enough pressure on Ukraine to implement the Minsk agreements, and the Kremlin confirmed that Moscow would soon announce its steps regarding Washington and NATO’s response to its proposals for security guarantees.
And the US Bloomberg Agency quoted officials – whom it described as insiders – that Russia may begin the invasion of Ukraine next Tuesday.
Prior to that, the French presidency said that President Emmanuel Macron discussed with his Russian counterpart – in a phone call – the developments of the Ukrainian file, conveyed to him the concerns of France’s allies and European partners, and assured him that frank dialogue is not compatible with escalation.
The French presidency indicated that the two presidents discussed the elements of stability and security in Europe and ways to move forward in implementing the Minsk Agreement.
A French diplomatic source confirmed that the Russian President denied President Macron that he had any intention to take military action, adding that Macron had conveyed to Putin a message that he would respond with severe sanctions if he decided to take military action.
For its part, the Kremlin said that Putin drew the attention of his French counterpart to the absence of any objective reaction from the United States and NATO to the Russian proposals regarding security guarantees.
The Kremlin added that the two presidents discussed what it described as a provocative campaign related to allegations that Russia intends to invade Ukraine.
As part of the diplomatic move, the Kremlin reported that President Putin discussed with his Belarusian counterpart the response of NATO and Washington to the security guarantees proposal.
Other contacts
In a related development, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke regarding the crisis with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken, and stressed to him that the propaganda campaign launched by the United States and its allies regarding what he called “Russian aggression” once morest Ukraine has provocative goals.
The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the West of encouraging the authorities in Kiev to sabotage the Minsk agreements, and what it described as harmful attempts to solve the “Donbass problem” by force.
As for the US State Department, it stated that Blinken made it clear that the diplomatic path to resolving the crisis is still open, but it will require Moscow to de-escalate the escalation and engage in discussions in good faith.
Blinken reiterated that if Moscow follows the path of aggression and invades more of Ukraine, it will lead to a resolute, broad and united response.
And the American network “CNN” (CNN) reported that Blinken confirmed – during his call with Lavrov – the priority that Washington attaches to the safety of its citizens, diplomats and its embassy.
In the same context, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had a phone call with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, and the ministry indicated that Shoigu and Austin discussed security issues of common interest.
For its part, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) said that the talks included the Russian military deployment in the Crimea and near the Ukrainian border.
For its part, the US Embassy in Kiev said – in a tweet on its Twitter account – that Russia has two options; Either dialogue and diplomacy or confrontation and consequences.
The embassy added that senior Russian officials claim that Russia wants peace and does not threaten anyone, and that if what it says is true, it must demonstrate this in practice by de-escalation and the withdrawal of Russian forces from the borders of Ukraine, and that Moscow’s statements should not remain mere hollow words, according to the embassy’s tweet.
In a striking development, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered a temporary repositioning of National Guard forces in Ukraine, to move outside its borders.
Kirby added – in a tweet on Twitter – that the safety and security of US forces is the main concern of the Minister of Defense, and that his country will remain committed to its relationship with the Ukrainian armed forces, as he put it.
American submarine
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry summoned the US military attache at the US embassy in Moscow, once morest the backdrop of a US submarine violating Russia’s territorial waters near the Kuril Islands, and said it had handed him a protest note in this regard.
The Russian Defense Ministry had announced – earlier – that an American submarine had been spotted in Russian territorial waters near the Kuril Islands, while the Russian warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet were carrying out military exercises in the region.
The ministry said – in a statement – that the Russian side immediately issued warnings to the American submarine in Russian and English, noting that the American submarine initially ignored the warnings, and then left Russian waters at full speed.
Invitations to leave
In light of the escalation, the US State Department, for its part, ordered most of the American employees directly assigned to its embassy in Kiev to leave, due to the continuing threat of Russian military action, and also urged not to travel to Ukraine, Crimea and Donetsk due to the increasing Russian threats.
The US State Department stated that it would suspend consular services at its embassy, effective February 13.
The US administration confirmed that it will not be able to evacuate American citizens in the event of a Russian military action taking place anywhere in Ukraine, noting that military action may begin at any time and without warning.
In light of the developments on the ground, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that its embassy and consulate in Ukraine continue their work as usual.
The ministry added that it decided to make adjustments to the work of its employees, in anticipation of any provocative actions from Ukraine or a third country.
As for “Sputnik” agency, it said – earlier – that the employees of the Russian embassy and consulate in Kiev had begun to leave Ukraine.
Kuwait, Finland, Britain, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Australia and New Zealand had asked their citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible.
maneuvers
On the ground, 400 Russian soldiers began – yesterday, Friday – a military exercise in the Rostov region on the border with Ukraine.
This is happening at a time when tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are continuing large-scale maneuvers in Belarus that will continue until February 20.
For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry announced sending 6 warships to participate in naval exercises in the Black and Azov seas.
In return, Washington sent B-52 bombers to Britain, to join 4 destroyers that had previously sailed to participate in NATO maneuvers in the Mediterranean.
The Ukrainian side – in turn – continues preparations for a possible war scenario through exercises that began – today, Saturday – in the Kherson region, in the north of the Crimea.
Ukrainian preparations are also continuing to confront a possible Russian invasion, as the Kiev city council approved a plan to evacuate residents, with the participation of more than 13,000 civil defense personnel.
