As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva to resolve the Moscow-Kiev tension, Russia’s troop deployment in Belarus raises concerns that it is preparing to invade Ukraine.
White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki evaluated the entry of Russian forces into Belarus as “a very dangerous situation” and said, “We are at a point where Russia can attack Ukraine at any moment.”
A senior US State Department official said Moscow could launch an attack on Ukraine any time in January or February.
Another Foreign Ministry official also expressed concern over the Russian deployment of troops on Belarus’ southern border with Ukraine since Monday.
Belarus says that Russian soldiers are coming to the country for a joint exercise to be held.
However, according to the US, the number of Russian soldiers deployed in Belarus is too large for normal exercise practices and it is possible that these soldiers will be used in an attack on neighboring Ukraine.
Speaking to the Associated Press news agency, a Biden administration official said the deployment of Russian troops to Belarus raises concerns that Moscow may be aiming to weaken Ukraine’s defenses with an attack from the north.
He noted that this development demonstrates Belarus’ willingness to allow both Russian conventional and nuclear forces to be deployed on its territory.
Biden had warned Russia that invading Ukraine would have serious economic consequences.
The talks between the delegations of Russia and Western countries last week ended without any progress.
Kiev demands weapons from western countries to defend itself. Most recently, Britain sent anti-tank weapons to Ukraine on Monday. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated that the weapons do not pose a threat to Russia and are for defensive purposes only.
Ukrainian officials also warned that Russia could attack its territory from many fronts, including Belarus.
Ukraine creates reserve troops
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported that the country has stepped up its efforts to rapidly deploy 130,000 people and create reserve units to strengthen its 246,000-strong army.
Russian Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated that joint exercises with Belarus will also include a joint response to external threats.
Fomin said it will take until February 9 for the full deployment of weapons and personnel for the “Allied Determination 2022” exercises, which are expected to take place on February 10-20.
‘Warplanes will go to Belarus’
Fomin did not say how many soldiers will take part in the exercise, but noted that Russia will send up to 10 Su-35 fighter jets and a number of air defense units to Belarus. It is thought that Russia can deploy 100,000 Russian soldiers in Belarus with tanks and other heavy weapons as part of the exercise.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that joint exercises will be conducted on Belarus’ western border, as well as in the south of the country, which borders Ukraine. Lukashenko, who became increasingly close to Russia as a result of the West’s sanctions after his government responded with pressure to the domestic protests, had recently offered to host Russian nuclear weapons.
Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and supported a separatist uprising that captured large areas in eastern Ukraine. More than 14 thousand people lost their lives in the conflicts that lasted for about eight years in the region.
Moscow wants the West to accept a number of security demands. These demands include preventing Ukraine from becoming a NATO member.