Build-up of Russian troops sparks fears of war
DOMINIC Raab yesterday urged Russia to “immediately de-escalate” its build-up of troops at the Ukrainian border amid fears of an all-out war.
Western leaders have voiced fears that the move by Russian President Vladimir Putin could trigger a conflict that would drag Nato allies, including Britain, into a war zone.
Foreign Secretary Mr Raab wrote on Twitter: “The UK and US firmly oppose Russia’s campaign to destabilise Ukraine. Russia must immediately de-escalate the situation and live up to the international commitments that it signed up to.”
Chilling footage on social media revealed thousands of Russian tanks, missile trucks, armoured vehicles and long-range guns being transported to Crimea and the border of the disputed Ukrainian region of Donbass, held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014. Kiev has warned it could be “provoked” by Russia’s aggression.
The military build-up – the biggest since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea – has alarmedWestern leaders and US President Joe Biden has sent two warships to the Black Sea.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of planning to invade Donbass. Dmitry Kozak, of Russia’s presidential administration, warned: “Military action...would be the beginning of the end of Ukraine.’