Russia to delay crisis in Ukraine for months – UK FM

Russian President Vladimir Putin is “testing the West’s resilience” with a troop buildup on Ukraine’s borders that could last for months.

This was stated by British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss, according to the Daily Mail.

“It’s important not to give in”

According to her, Russia could drag out the Ukrainian crisis “for weeks or even months” in an attempt to undermine the unity of the West. Truss also said it was very important not to succumb to a “false sense of security” due to Moscow’s claims that it has begun withdrawing its forces from Ukraine’s borders.

At the same time, according to the minister, there is no evidence that Russia is ready to retreat.

“We must not fall into a false sense of security when Russia claims that some troops are returning to their barracks, when in fact the Russian military build-up shows no signs of slowing down. We should have no illusions that Russia could drag this out much longer in a brazen ploy to spend more weeks (if not months) undermining Ukraine and challenging Western unity. It’s a test of our character“, – she said.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

Elisabeth Truss further stated that “Russia respects only strength”:

“Those in and around the Kremlin should have no doubt that the free world will not turn away as long as they are amassing over 100,000 combat-ready soldiers along Ukraine’s borders. The fact is that Russia only respects force, so we will support a strong response.” together with our NATO allies, including the United States.”

According to her, the UK cannot allow “this situation to become a chronic ulcer.”

“That’s why we are providing vital support to help our Ukrainian friends defend themselves,” the minister said.

What they say in Russia

Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yuri Filatov said that Russian troops near Ukraine would return to their usual positions within three to four weeks. Withdrawal should also begin after the completion of the exercises in Belarus.

“What can I say, perhaps within three to four weeks, the configuration of forces in the western region of Russia will return to its usual standard position. We are conducting planned exercises with the participation of the Belarusian armed forces. They will be completed by February 20, and these troops will be withdrawn. You You can check it next week,” Filatov said.

Recall that NATO intelligence could not confirm the fact of the withdrawal of Russian troops from the borders of Ukraine, which was announced by the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov on the morning of February 15.

At the same time, the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service came to the conclusion that Russia would be ready to launch a full-scale military operation against Ukraine from the second half of February.

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