Russian troops to stay near Ukrainian border amid NATO pressure

On Jan 17, 2022

Russia will station troops on its own territory near the Ukrainian border due to tensions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said Sunday.

According to Peskov, “We find it necessary to keep those troops due to a very tense situation and very unfriendly environment.

“Russia has to take measures of precaution in response to NATO military build-up, drills and frequent flights of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes near the Russian borders,” he said.

However, Russia is not considering a military action even if negotiations with the United States and NATO on security guarantees fail.

Russia is ready to take countermeasures if both sides cannot reach a consensus.

Earlier this week, Russian diplomats held talks with the United States in Geneva, with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna, and then with NATO in Brussels. They all ended without any breakthrough.

Kamila/Xinhua