Ian Patrick, FISM News
Cold War-era concerns are once again emerging as the U.S. suggests that Russia is looking to invade the neighboring nation of Ukraine.
Citing official sources, a report from Bloomberg claims the U.S. is sharing intelligence with European counterparts on the topic of a Ukrainian invasion. The report suggests that an invasion could happen early next year.
Although Putin’s intentions in the intelligence is not clarified, it does give a scenario in which 100,000 Russian troops backed by air support pour into the nation from all sides. According to Axios, two sources told Bloomberg there is already “tens of thousands of reservists” amassing near its shared border with Ukraine.
U.S. officials have been aware of the Russian military build-up and are preparing for the worst. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked about a possible invasion during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba:
We are concerned with the reports of the unusual Russian activity near Ukraine. We’re looking at this very, very closely – we’re also consulting very closely with allies and partners. And as you’ve heard me say, and heard us say, we don’t have clarity into Moscow’s intentions. But we do know its playbook and our concern is that Russia may make the serious mistake of attempting to rehash what it undertook back in 2014 when it amassed forces along the border, crossed into sovereign Ukrainian territory, and did so claiming falsely that it was provoked.
Blinken was referring to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and subsequent attempted invasion of Ukraine, which brought sanctions and condemnation from world governments. Russia has consistently backed insurgents in Ukraine supposedly to weaken its defense capabilities and foment unrest.
In addition, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez recently proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act looking to impose “sanctions relating to the actions of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine.”
Russia, meanwhile, claims the U.S. and West in general are stoking flames that don’t really exist. On state TV, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “This hysteria is being artificially whipped up.”
“We are being accused of some kind of unusual military activity on our territory by those who have brought in their armed forces from across the ocean. That is, the United States of America,” he added.