Ukraine’s administration has requested a meeting with Russia and other members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to discuss the rising tensions along its border.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said Russia has rejected formal requests to justify its force buildup along Ukraine’s borders with Russia, occupied Crimea, and Belarus.
The “next move,” according to Kuleba, is to request a meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss Russia’s objectives in “transparent.”
Despite the presence of 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine’s borders, Russia has denied any ambitions to invade the country.
The United States and the United Kingdom have warned that Russia is preparing for military action, revealing over the weekend that Russia might invade on Wednesday, February 16, with the US warning that aerial bombardments could begin “at any time.”
Several countries have advised their people to leave Ukraine, and several have withdrawn embassy personnel from Kyiv.
On Monday morning, February 14, Kuleba claimed Ukraine had asked answers from Russia regarding their intentions under the principles of the Vienna Document, a security accord approved by members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which was signed on Friday, February 12.
However, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has warned that such statements could cause “panic,” adding that he has seen no evidence that Russia is planning an invasion in the near future.
He chatted for an hour on the phone with US Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday.
President Biden reaffirmed US support for Ukraine, according to the US, and both leaders agreed on “the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence.”
In a statement released after the call, Ukraine’s president praised the US for its “unwavering support” and urged US President Barack Obama to visit Ukraine. The White House has made no comment on the invitation.
One of Russia’s main demands is that Ukraine never be permitted to join NATO.