Ukraine: diplomatic activity fails to reduce tension
US President Joe Biden has once again warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.
PA
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
During a telephone interview with his Russian counterpart, the American president renewed his call for a diplomatic solution, while saying he was ready “
for other scenarios
”.
Advertising
Read more
Diplomatic activity around the Ukrainian file continues with intensity without the hoped-for de-escalation taking shape.
In an interview lasting just over an hour – “
professional and rich
”, according to Washington;
“
Balanced and professional
”, according to Moscow – Joe Biden predicted Vladimir Putin: the United States and its allies “
will respond resolutely and impose severe and rapid repercussions on Russia
” if the latter invades Ukraine.
The tenant of the White House reaffirmed that an invasion "
would cause considerable human suffering and weaken the position of Russia
".
The long-awaited exchange did not lead to "
fundamental change in the dynamics that we have observed for several weeks now
", estimated an American official quoted by Agence France-Presse.
According to him, “
we still do not know if Russia will favor diplomacy over the use of force
”.
Washington insisted on Friday on
the risk of an "
imminent
"
invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has massed more than 100,000 soldiers near the border and has just begun military maneuvers in the Black Sea and in Belarus, framing
de facto
the country.
"
Absurd
"
“
The hysteria has reached its peak
”, commented for his part the diplomatic adviser to Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ouchakov, during a press conference.
"
In recent days and hours, the situation has been led to absurdity
," he again criticized, saying that "
the Americans are announcing the very date of the Russian invasion, and at the same time flexing their muscles military of Ukraine
.
During an afternoon telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin had already denounced "
provocative speculation about an alleged "Russian invasion" of Ukraine
" as well as "
large-scale deliveries of 'modern armaments
' to its neighbour.
At the end of this interview, Paris's observation was the same as Washington's: "
Our feeling is that Vladimir Putin remains on the same bases (...) in a state of mind of requirement, of provocation, taking care, however, to keep all his options open.
»
Emmanuel Macron, who also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was also to call the American President and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Beyond the heads of state, the intense diplomatic exchanges this Saturday consisted of calls between the heads of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov and American Antony Blinken, who also spoke with his British counterpart Liz Truss.
The American and Russian Ministers of Defense, Lloyd Austin and Sergei Shoigu, also exchanged.
The German Chancellor is to take up the torch, going to Kiev on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday.
Calls to leave the country
At the same time, the list of countries calling on their nationals to leave Ukraine continues to grow, including the United States, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway or even Australia, Japan and Israel.
The KLM airline announced on Saturday the suspension of flights to Ukraine until further notice.
Moscow also recalled some of its diplomatic staff, claiming to fear
adverse "
provocations ".
The United States also ordered the departure of most of the personnel of the American embassy in Kyiv, noting that a Russian offensive could "
begin at any time and without warning
".
Some 160 American soldiers who were training Ukrainian forces were also ordered to leave.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his part once again deemed the American statements
too alarmist
.
“
All this information only causes panic and does not help us
,” he criticized.
(
With
AFP)
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Ukraine
United States
Russia
Vladimir Poutine
Joe Biden
Emmanuel Macron