The movement of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine can be explained by the real threat of escalation in the Donbass, which comes from Kiev. At the same time, all movements of the Russian military take place within the territory of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies of the Higher School of Economics, explained in an interview with Lente.ru.
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The political scientist also explained the movement of troops by Moscow’s attempt to mark the countries of the West with its red lines. Russia wants to ensure that NATO countries do not threaten its security and do not promise Kiev to join the alliance. “To some extent, Russia simply indicates its categorical disagreement with the current US policy towards Ukraine, with Ukraine being drawn into NATO,” Suslov explained.
He also drew an analogy with the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia. The political scientist recalled: then President Vladimir Putin several times called on Western countries to stop promising Ukraine and Georgia membership in NATO, “but he was not heard.”
“Yes, of course, Tbilisi provoked the military operation, but nevertheless: Moscow did not just repel the Georgian attack on South Ossetia,” he added.
Since late October, Western and Ukrainian media, as well as a number of high-ranking politicians, have accused Russia of preparing a military invasion of Ukraine. Photos taken from aerial photographs were presented as evidence: they show the movements of Russian troops within the borders of the country. Russia denies accusations of trying to provoke a conflict and notes that all military movements are made at its discretion and without violating international agreements.
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