Vladimir Putin warns of ‘huge consequences’ if Russia invades Ukraine as 175,000 troops gather on the border
VLADIMIR Putin has been warned of “major consequences” if he invades Ukraine as Russia dumps troops on the neighboring country’s border.
Recent US intelligence 175,000 Russian troops discovered on the border with Ukraine as fears of a potential invasion in early 2022 are growing.
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Meanwhile, Moscow declared fighter jets intercept an American spy plane flew over the Black Sea.
Rising tensions have prompted the G7 group of Western nations – meeting in Liverpool – to issue a warning to Russia.
“Russia should have no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine will have enormous consequences and be costly,” the group said in the statement.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future.”
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace recently said that the UK has ready to use force to help defend Ukraine.
Russia denies that it plans to attack Ukraine and condemns the G7 warning.
The British Embassy said: “Russia has made many proposals to NATO on ways to reduce tensions.
“The G7 Forum could be an opportunity to discuss them, but so far we have heard nothing but aggressive slogans.”
Kiev’s allies are committed to their support, but intervening against Russia could risk leading to a conflict that could erupt into World War 3.
Russia has been asked Ukraine not to join NATO and angrily demanded that the US stop all military activities in the region.
A US senator has warned the US could “make a storm” for Russia with nuclear weapons if Putin invades Ukraine.
That prompted Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, to say that Joe Biden was pushing his country to the brink of nuclear war.
Ryabkov’s warning came later Biden held a high-stakes call with Vladimir Putin as tensions between Washington and Moscow increased over Ukraine.
The two-hour phone call between the leaders was organized to de-escalate tensions – with the US President threatening sanctions over the situation on the Russian border.
What is happening between Russia and Ukraine?
Russia and Ukraine remain technically at war since 2014
Ukraine was aligned with Russia as part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, after which the country became an independent country.
Both countries remained closely intertwined – but Ukraine gradually began to separate, seeking deeper ties with the West.
Open conflict was triggered by the Ukrainian Revolution of 2014 – when an uprising toppled the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych.
Vladimir Putin’s forces responded by annexing the Crimea region from Ukraine – a move widely condemned by the West.
The conflict then spiraled as pro-Russian groups in eastern Ukraine later took up arms against the state.
Russia has backed separatists who have established breakaway republics in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin’s forces then launched a military assault on these areas as they supported the rebels.
Russia continues to hold Crimea – and claims the region is ready to join them after the referendum.
Seven years have passed and the War in Donbass is still at a stalemate.
An estimated 14,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including more than 3.0o0 civilians.
Ukraine and the rebels signed a new ceasefire in July 2020 – but clashes have steadily increased throughout 2021.
According to US officials, Biden told Putin there would be “clear and decisive” consequences in the event of an invasion.
Meanwhile one of General Putin warns Russia’s nuclear and hypersonic missile launchers are “ready for action” – raised fears of an invasion of Ukraine.
Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said that more than 95% of Moscow’s strategic nuclear forces on the ground are “continuously maintained in a state of combat readiness”.
He also warned that Russia is “ready to resist any provocation by Ukraine in the Donbas” during Thursday’s briefing with foreign military ambassadors.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17018010/putin-warned-massive-consequences-russia-invades-ukraine/ Vladimir Putin warns of ‘huge consequences’ if Russia invades Ukraine as 175,000 troops gather on the border
