Putin said Russia does not seek conflict after the troops 'pullout'
Key Takeaways:
- Just hours after Russia began pulling troops from the Ukraine border, President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia does not desire a confrontation in Europe.
President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday that Russia does not seek a conflict in Europe, just hours after the country announced that it has begun withdrawing soldiers from the Ukraine border following weeks of preparations.
Putin urged the crisis to be handled via dialogue with the West, speaking at a joint press conference after discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
He also stated that Moscow is willing to develop trust with the US and its NATO members.
"We are eager to continue our collaboration. We are prepared to begin the negotiating process. "According to numerous news sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. He also utilized the platform to confirm a "partial troop withdrawal" from the border with its former Soviet neighbor.
The crisis, which is the worst between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War, reached a pinnacle this week, with US officials saying that a full-scale invasion, including an attack on Kyiv, could happen in days.
Here are the important points from the escalating conflict:
> Earlier in the day, Russia's defense ministry announced a partial evacuation, stating that some personnel stationed near Ukraine had completed their drills and were preparing to depart.
> While Ukrainians were relieved by the news, the West maintained a cautious tone due to a lack of proof. Despite the rising tensions, the leaders hailed it as a "good signal."
> If Russian soldiers are truly departing, a French government spokeswoman called it a "good signal." At the same time, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated, "any meaningful step of a de-escalation would be a basis for hope."
> Ukraine stated that its deterrence tactics against Russia looked to be succeeding but would continue to monitor any Russian pullback.
> "For Europeans, it is evident that enduring security cannot be attained against Russia, but only with Russia," stated German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
> Russia has consistently blamed the West for the Ukraine crisis, claiming that the US and Western Europe neglect Russia's legitimate security concerns.
> According to the Kremlin, NATO must guarantee that Ukraine will never be accepted as a member and that its presence in many eastern European and ex-Soviet nations would be reduced.
> Russia already controls the Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and backs separatist troops in eastern Ukraine, where more than 14,000 people have died in a conflict that has claimed the lives of around 14,000 individuals.