Despite the Kremlin claiming it is withdrawing troops from the border with Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said he does not believe any de-escalation of the situation has taken place.
Countries in the Alliance have also expressed doubts, as have leaders in Ukraine. At present, we have not seen any withdrawal of Russian forces.
“If they really start withdrawing forces, that is something we will welcome, but it remains to be seen,” Stoltenberg said ahead of a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels.
On Tuesday, Russia said it was withdrawing some troops stationed near the border with Ukraine, but NATO says it sees no signs of withdrawal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared February 16 as “National Unity Day.
Russia has amassed more than 130,000 troops in eastern, northern and southern Ukraine, raising concerns that it is planning an attack. / The Geopost /