Russian troop movements on western borders irritate Ukraine, US
Russian soldiers in the Sochi region, January 4, 2014. REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov
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Russia does what it wants on its territory and does not threaten anyone.
This is what the Kremlin spokesman said yesterday.
He was obviously trying to calm the concerns arising from the reinforcement of Russian troops observed on the Ukrainian border and in the Crimea, and which is fueling rumors of renewed fighting.
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With our correspondent in Moscow,
Jean-Didier Revoin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday accused Russia of accumulating troops on the border of his country, Washington warning Moscow against any attempt at "
intimidation
" against Ukraine.
While Ukrainian and American officials have reported in recent days Russian troop movements near the Ukrainian border, silencing rumors of further escalation in the Donbass was the avowed aim of the Kremlin spokesman's intervention .
“
The Russian Federation moves its troops within the limits of its territory as it wishes.
This should not worry anyone and it does not pose a threat to anyone.
The Russian Federation is taking all necessary measures to protect the security of its borders.
"
But Dmitry Peskov also signaled that Russia does not intend to be intimidated.
“
You know that on the perimeter of Russia's borders, there is significant activity by troops from NATO countries, other units and other countries, etc.
All of this forces us to keep our eyes open.
"
After a record truce in the second half of 2020, the war in eastern Ukraine has seen an increase in clashes since January.
A total of 19 Ukrainian servicemen have been killed on the front line, as Kiev and Moscow accuse each other of blocking the negotiation process.
Some experts believe that these troop movements could have two justifications.
Or to regulate the water supply of Crimea, while Kiev has cut off the Dnieper canals supplying the peninsula;
or to test the new American administration after the muscular remarks made by Joe Biden with regard to Vladimir Poutine.
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