THE LATEST ON UKRAINE RUSSIAN BORDER

                                                                     

                             

 

US officials are warning Russia could launch an invasion of Ukraine as soon as this week, but are still holding out hope that diplomacy can prevail.  President Biden with Russia’s Putin and Ukraine’s Zelensky over the weekend but there were no major breakthroughs.  Germany’s chancellor is meeting with Zelensky at Kyiv today in ongoing de-escalation efforts.  Meanwhile, multiple countries, including the United States, have urged their citizens to leave and reduce staff at embassies in Ukraine, as Russia continues its build-up near the borders.  

 

The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on Monday expressed support of the EU parliament to Ukraine amid warnings of a Russian invasion.  “The position of this house is clear, we are with Ukraine,” she said.  She demanded that Ukraine’s “defiance must be matched  by continued European resolve and unity.”

 

“What we are witnessing is a serious threat to peace in Europe,” she added.  Metsola urged for de-escalation of current tension, but said the European Parliament stands “ready to support swift, forceful and concrete action.”  “We do this in coordination with other European institutions and the international community, should the situation deteriorate,” she added.

 

Multiple threats of intelligence, including Russian communications, indicate Russian forces surrounding Ukraine are “clearly advancing their ability to invade” at any time according to a senior administration official.  “They are making themselves more ready.” This intelligence has let the US to conclude a Russian attack, including the assault on the capital Kyiv and could begin with no warning ,” the official said.

 

There are now estimated 130.000 or more Russian forces on the Ukraine border, according to two sources familiar with the recent assessments.  The US is not yet characterizing the Russian moves as “final preparations” because Putin still has the time to order a stop at any military action” the official said.  NATO defence ministers are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday and right now “the US cannot rule out Russia’s military action during that ministerial” the official said.

 

Defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, is expected to attend the meeting in Russia.  The British Prime Minister urges Putin to step back “from the edge of the precipice.”