The United States has cast doubt on Russia's claim that on Wednesday (16/2)
it had withdrawn its troops from the Ukrainian border. A senior Biden
administration official said Russia was increasing its military presence in
the region.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the senior US official believed that
Russia had lied despite not providing details or providing evidence.
"So yesterday, the Russian government said it would withdraw troops from the
border with Ukraine. But now we know that is wrong," the official said, as
quoted by Reuters.
The official also said the Biden administration confirmed that Russia had
increased its troop presence along the Ukrainian border by 7,000 troops.
"Russia openly claims to be involved in diplomacy and makes claims of
de-escalation, at the same time they are mobilizing for war," he continued.
Russia's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that its troops withdrew after
its military exercises near Ukraine ended. As evidence, Russian defense
authorities even released a video showing the mobilization of troops as they
left the Crimean peninsula.
According to Reuters, video footage shows the presence of tanks, infantry
fighting vehicles and artillery units. The Russian Ministry of Defense
explained that combat equipment and military personnel will be sent by
military train to their respective home units.
The video, released by RIA news agency, also shows dozens of military
vehicles crossing the bridge at night.
On Tuesday (15/2), the US government estimated that 150,000 Russian troops
had surrounded Ukraine. The number is an increase from the previous estimate
of around 100,000.
On the same day, President Vladimir Putin said Russia did not want war in
Europe. At a joint press conference after talks with German Chancellor Olaf
Scholz, Putin decided to withdraw some troops from near Ukraine.
Putin also stressed that Russia opens the space for further discussions with
Western countries regarding the demands for security guarantees that Russia
demands.
