NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, at a press conference yesterday, made a statement that he lays the groundwork for “cautious optimism” against the signals from Russia regarding the continuation of diplomatic paths.
“WE DID NOT OBSERVE RUSSIA REDUCING THE TENSION”
Stoltenberg is making a statement about the tension in eastern Ukraine today. Highlights from Stoltenberg’s statements are as follows:
So far, we have not observed that Russia has reduced the tension on the ground.
We will continue to convey the message ‘We are ready to negotiate’.
We hope that Russia will resort to diplomacy.
THE NUMBER OF RUSSIAN CONTROLLERS ON THE UKRAINE BORDER CONTINUES TO INCREASING
Positive messages about diplomacy from Moscow provide grounds for cautious optimism.
We will continue to observe whether Russia will withdraw (from the Ukrainian border).
Russia retains the ability to completely occupy Ukraine without warning.
Russia always moved its troops back and forth; this does not confirm that there will be withdrawal.
The number of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border continues to increase.