Diplomacy is at work in the Ukrainian file in order to reduce tensions. On January 28, Emmanuel Macron met successively with Russian President Vladimir Putin, then with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. France’s objective is to re-establish dialogue, channels of discussion, between Russians, Europeans, Americans and Ukrainians. But the leaders in Kiev no longer hide their annoyance at the strategy of tension favored by certain great powers.
With our correspondent in Kiev, Stephane Siohan
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a press conference on Friday, in front of representatives of the international press, and he half-heartedly criticized the attitude of his American ally in the military crisis situation between Ukraine and Russia.
The Ukrainian head of state implicitly mentioned the White House, believing that the latter made the situation more complicated than it was still at the borders of Ukraine. ” The situation is no worse than it was in 2014 “, estimated the Ukrainian president, stressing that his country should not be the variable of adjustment between the United States and Russia.
The Ukrainian executive is in a delicate situation: on the one hand, the Americans are delivering arms to Ukraine, but on the other, messages from Washington are making Russia tense and making the latter’s attitude even more belligerent.
In this context, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked French President Emmanuel Macron as Paris wishes to relaunch diplomatic communication channels.
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♦ The Pentagon steps up
The American military hierarchy spoke on Friday, reports our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin. So far, the word was mainly diplomats. Behind President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken or his deputy Wendy Shermann were the voice of America in the crisis. Now Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is speaking with the Pentagon’s top brass.
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General Mark Miley warns that in the event of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the consequences will be heavy for the local population but also for Russia. Because the Ukrainian army is ready, its neighboring members of NATO too: ” NATO has approximately over 130 maneuver brigades, not including US forces. 93 squadrons of high-level combat aircraft, 4 aircraft carriers and even more forces on the surface. NATO’s military capability is very, very important. Ukraine has a border with 4 member countries of NATO. Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. The President and the Minister of Defense have authorized the American army to increase its preparations in case it is necessary to reinforce or help our NATO allies. »
And General Miley to conclude: war is not inevitable, the right answer is a diplomatic solution.