Ukraine insists: ‘No reason to panic’

Ukrainian officials have attempted to ease concerns about a possible Russian invasion, telling their citizens there is “no reason to panic,” despite the US and its NATO allies preparing to provide additional support.

On Monday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation is “under control,” while Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov affirmed Russia’s armed forces had not yet formed battle groups “which would have indicated that tomorrow they could launch an offensive.”

“There are risky scenarios. They’re possible and probable in the future,” Reznikov told Ukraine’s ICTV in an interview before adding that “as of today . . . such a threat doesn’t exist.”

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, sounded the same message, saying the military buildup “is not news.”

“As of today, we don’t see any grounds for statements about a full-scale offensive on our country,” Danilov said.

Russia has repeatedly denied intentions to invade Ukraine, calling Western concerns about the prospect “hysteria.”

The Kremlin has also attempted to flip the standoff ’s narrative, accusing NATO allies of using Ukraine for their own “provocations” against Moscow.

On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the US of “fomenting tensions” around the Eastern European country.

Russia has requested the US and NATO rule out Ukraine from ever joining the Atlantic alliance, citing security concerns. While the US has labeled the demand a “nonstarter,” officials are expected to provide the Kremlin with a written response to Russia’s request later this week.

Concerns over increased military action by Moscow have grown in recent days, as the US has begun to evacuate families of diplomats from Ukraine and NATO has announced plans to increase its own military presence in Eastern Europe.