Civic Register
| 12.3.21

U.S. & NATO Urge Russia to Pull Back From its Military Buildup on Ukraine's Border

Are you concerned about Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s border?

What’s the story?

  • The U.S. and its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are urging Russia to de-escalate the ongoing military buildup along its border with Ukraine. Ukraine has estimated that 94,000 Russian military troops have massed on its eastern border with Russia, where Russia has backed a separatist insurgency that’s fighting Ukraine’s government, and in Crimea, which is Ukrainian territory that was invaded and annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. 
  • Many of those Russian troops aren’t typically stationed near Ukraine, which has heightened concern that Russia may be planning to invade Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the U.S. is “deeply concerned by evidence that Russia has made plans for significant aggressive moves against Ukraine.” He added, “We don’t know whether President Putin has made the decision to invade. We do know he’s putting in place the capacity to do so in short order.”
  • Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday in Stockholm, Sweden, and told reporters:
“(A)s we’ve made very clear in recent weeks, we have deep concerns about Russia’s plans for renewed aggression against Ukraine… We have a strong, ironclad commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The best way to avert a crisis is through diplomacy, and that’s what I look forward to discussing with Sergey, including, by both parties, full implementation of the Minsk agreements, with Russia pulling back its forces… if Russia decides to pursue confrontation, there will be serious consequences.” 
  • NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg similarly noted the “significant and unusual concentration of forces, which is unjustified and unexplained. And accompanied by heightened rhetoric and disinformation.” Stoltenberg warned:
“Any future Russian aggression against Ukraine would come at a high price. And have serious political and economic consequences for Russia… At the same time, we maintain our political and practical support for our partner Ukraine.”
  • Ukraine’s defense minister said that escalation by Russia is “a probable scenario, but not certain, and our task is to avert it.” He added, “The most probable time when (Russia) will be ready for the escalation is end of January.”
  • A foreign affairs adviser to Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that a call between Putin and President Joe Biden is being planned for the coming days, with Russia set to push for binding guarantees that NATO will not expand to allow Ukraine’s membership. Lavrov told reporters ahead of his meeting with Blinken:
“No one should strengthen their security at the expense of the security of others. Further advance of NATO to the east will unambiguously affect the fundamental interests of our security.” 
  • Currently, Ukraine is not an official member of NATO, although it is considered a partner and has received equipment and training from NATO members. Ukraine has a path to NATO membership and is seeking to join the alliance, but it’s not clear how soon NATO would be prepared to admit Ukraine as a member as past efforts have been delayed by governmental instability. 
  • Russia regards the expansion of NATO to countries that share a border with it as a threat to its sphere of influence. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, several formerly communist satellites from the eastern bloc have been admitted to the alliance, including the Baltic nations and countries like Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, which share a border with Ukraine.
  • Finland, which shares a border with Russia and isn’t a NATO member but partners with the alliance to bolster its military cooperation with NATO members, has weighed in on Russia’s reported demands about preventing further NATO enlargement. The Finnish president on Thursday released a statement noting that his country also retains the option of joining NATO and criticizing Russia for its attempt to suppress the alliance:
“Russia’s criticism regarding NATO enlargement and military activities is not new. Finland considers NATO to be a factor that is fostering security and stability in Europe. Maintaining a national room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice is the foundation of Finland’s foreign, security and defence policy. This also includes the possibility of military alignment and applying for NATO membership… Decisions concerning the accession of new members are made between the applicant country and the 30 NATO members, and decisions on membership are a matter for the applicant and NATO member countries.”


— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / Beeldbewerking)

  • 741
    John
    12/17/2021

    Today Russia listed it’s “demands quote to ease tensions in Ukraine! Screw Russia it’s a Third World nation. Putin has fleeced the Russian economy and made himself a multibillionaire at the expense of the starving people. Run the country financially into the ground apply sanctions on them till they scream don’t let a drop of oil with that country until Pruden is gone.

  • 337
    Ukatsone
    12/11/2021

    Putin’s history of aggression should worry the entire world. He feels, and he may be right, that The west will not want to get involved in a war over Ukraine. He is doing what every Dictator has done in the past. He continues to expand his influence and power while the world negotiates. Right now he is planning his next aggressive move. Europe and the United States need to truly take Putin’s actions seriously.

  • 112
    TheLiberalSoutherner
    12/09/2021

    Those who say their not concerned are the nut jobs who believe that trump is still president!

  • 8,656
    Charles
    12/09/2021

    Not as concerned as the Ukraine people are! Continue to provide them assistance.

  • 35
    Asimia
    12/07/2021

    Unlike the previous administration's adulation of Putin, I'm happy to see that the Biden administration is fighting against Putin and his military agenda against Ukraine.

  • 1,078
    Sandra
    12/08/2021

    I would love to know how it's the liberals fault when it was the former guy's cozying up to Putin for four years while destroying our relationships with our longstanding allies that set up the current situation. Knowledge of history and common sense are lacking in Republicans these days...

  • 354
    deborah
    12/07/2021

    Russia will continue to threaten Ukraine with troop build up on it's Russian Border. With the US & Nato informing Putin they will Not allow Putin to invade Ukraine & will prevent Putin's ability to access Financial means needed for Russia to continue on the Financial World Stage. He know this will cripple he & his Oligarchs to do any business at all. We can never let Putin think the USA & Nato are weak, & take a stand against all of Aggression led by Putin.

  • 1,927
    Paul
    12/07/2021

    Trying to step this down will be a delicagte balancing act. I think that President Biden is up to it, and I hope I'm right. This is where having a seasoned pro instead of a raging hothead makes all the difference,

  • 118
    Joel
    12/07/2021

    Hey Vladimir here's how you deal with your biggest concern-join NATO.

  • 63
    Jason
    12/07/2021

    Time to get out of other's business. China is a far bigger threat than Russia.

  • 304
    Kathy
    12/07/2021

    I have someone I love and care about there with his wife and newborn child!

  • 48
    Cindy
    12/07/2021

    Russian aggression must be contained. Ukrainian sovereignty must be supported.

  • 1,771
    Dawn
    12/07/2021

    Only a fool wouldn't worry.

  • 4,997
    Adam
    12/07/2021

    The NYT just published a fairly nuanced examination of Putin's (and Russia's) sentiment regarding the Ukraine (see link below) - many Russians (possibly the majority) believe that Russia and Ukraine are essentially the same people. The Ukrainians would seem to disagree, but there you have it. The biggest concern for Putin is that Ukraine would join NATO, something 54% of Ukrainians agree with (up from 14% in 2012), so a guarantee against that from the West might avoid an invasion (and a costly, bloody war, which would likely hurt Putin, more than help him). If the saber-rattling is enough to make Russia look strong internationally, an attempt to re-annex the Ukraine (the way Russia annexed Crimea) might not really be necessary as long as the threat keeps Ukraine and Russia inextricably tied and keeps the latter in a strong position with the rest of the world. That said, Putin's also a little nuts, so he might truly believe that Ukraine should be part of Russia and an invasion is a good idea. This is where the concern comes from. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-troops.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20211207&instance_id=47164&nl=the-morning&regi_id=108545614&segment_id=76289&te=1&user_id=b75305e94265b22d13edc656ab18ce90

    0
    Today at 7:52 PM
  • 194
    Jim
    12/07/2021

    Of course this should be concerning. Vlad the Bad has been giggling himself silly ever since he installed the big orange stooge as the POTUS and set in motion the march to autocracy now blatantly and shamelessly promoted by the GQP. Putin needs to keep the momentum going to further destabilize the region and draw the attention of the functional democracies away from saving themselves. And it's working...

  • 666
    Dan
    12/07/2021

    I am very concerned about the build up. Putin is old school, he wants to take back what was lost during the break up of the old Russian Control. He believes his threats and force will change things. He is afraid that NATO will next door.

  • 966
    ClydeK
    12/07/2021

    This is very disturbing. It does appear this is a prelude to military action on the part of Russia!! Why do you move 175,000 troops close to a border that you are supporting an existing conflict without the thought you are going to use them?? The conflict in Ukraine has been going on for close to 10 years and the Russians did not move these troops!! Why now?? Ukraine is an ally and have leaned towards the US and NATO for a close relationship. I am not totally thrilled by this Administration’s planned response. The action is basically a censorship of Russia and trying to prevent financial aid. If Ukraine is invaded they are going to need major military support from the Western nations!! I think we should along with our Western allies should be positioning military aid in Ukraine to match what Russia is doing. I don’t want us engaged in a conflict with Russia but Putin only understands one thing: force! When he took over Crimea, I thought Obama’s response was weak. Here Putin is again testing the waters. He has got to be checked!!

  • 46
    Elaine
    12/07/2021

    I’m always fearful of what Russia do, they can’t be trusted and they listen to no one!

  • 12.8k
    MrGeer
    12/07/2021

    manufactured consent for another cold war. Its a way for America to justify its out of control military spending.

  • 41
    purpleheather1
    12/07/2021

    Now that Putin’s best buddy isn’t in the WH, of course he’s going to swing his tiny stick around to show how “tough” he is at the detriment of the Ukraine people.