Belarus, which borders Ukraine, has revealed that Russian troops conducting joint military exercises in the country will not withdraw after the 20th, when the exercises were scheduled to end.
In response, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "It is a continuation of a series of provocation scenarios by Russia," and expressed a strong sense of crisis about Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
In Belarus, which borders northern Ukraine, the Russian army, which is said to be the largest since the end of the Cold War, was dispatched to conduct joint military exercises with the Belarus army.
The Russian government said that the troops would return to their original positions once the exercise was completed, but Belarus' defense minister, Frenin, said on the 20th, "The presidents of both countries have decided to continue the verification of the troops." It has been revealed that Russian troops will not withdraw after the scheduled 20th and will remain in Belarus.
He cites the deterioration of the situation in eastern Ukraine as the reason, saying that "the purpose is to properly respond to the military preparations of malicious people and to ease tensions," and justified the stay of Russian troops.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reveals in an interview on CNN TV on the 20th that Russia will keep large troops in Belarus, "We are trying to make a series of provocations to justify the invasion. It was, but it's a continuation. "
"Everything I see shows that Russia's invasion is imminent," he said, expressing a strong sense of crisis about Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
In addition, Blinken emphasized the idea of aiming for a diplomatic solution to the last minute, even though he thinks Putin has decided to invade Ukraine.
British Prime Minister "Europe's largest scale since World War II"
"All signs indicate that the plan has, in a sense, already begun," British Prime Minister Johnson said in an interview with the BBC, recognizing that Russia is likely to invade Ukraine. In terms of scale, we are witnessing the biggest possible war plan in Europe since World War II. "
Russia's invasion also pointed out that Russian troops could move south from Belarus in the north as well as from the east, according to an analysis of intelligence agencies that US President Joe Biden explained to Western leaders. He reiterated the idea of imposing strict economic sanctions with the United States and other countries if he made a decision.
France-Russia summit talks with diplomatic efforts
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone talk on the 20th, as tensions increased as the United States and other countries became more vulnerable to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
The talks lasted nearly two hours, and according to the French presidential office, the two leaders said Russia and Ukraine and others to enforce a ceasefire agreement on the fighting between government forces and pro-Russian militants, which is rekindling in eastern Ukraine. We agreed to strengthen diplomatic efforts toward a dialogue-based solution, such as resuming discussions with Ukraine.
However, according to the Russian Presidential Administration, Putin said that the battle in eastern Ukraine was provoked by the Ukrainian government, and NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries such as the United States donated weapons and ammunition, making the situation worse. It is said that he criticized.
President Emmanuel Macron also had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Oleksandr Zelensky on the 20th, confirming that he would respect the ceasefire without provoking the Russian side over the battle in eastern Ukraine.
Local Japanese "Returning to a Happy Era"
Yoshihiro Terada, who has lived in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine for more than 30 years and is involved in ballet work there, responded to an interview with NHK on the 20th.
According to Mr. Terada, the battle in the eastern part of Ukraine has been widely reported in Japan for about two days, and the United States has made a series of statements expressing a sense of crisis about Russia's military invasion. Among his colleagues, there is a growing movement to evacuate families living in the east to Kiev.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Terada will leave Ukraine on the plane on the 21st and leave for Portugal, where his wife has already evacuated.
However, as major airlines have stopped operating Ukrainian flights one after another, he said, "Maybe I will not be able to fly tomorrow. In that case, I will drive to the western city or drive to Poland." In the worst case, he is considering evacuating by land.
On the other hand, it is said that the situation in Kiev city is not different from usual, but the price of gasoline has increased by about 30% from a week ago. I think it will increase anxiety about life, "he said, and was worried about the spread of confusion in Japan.
"In the last two days, I've suddenly felt a danger myself. I think it's half and half the part that is being swayed by information from the United States and the possibility that a serious event will actually occur in the eastern part. I want you to return to a happy era with us. "