Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons, a day after it announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine’s borders.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, however, insisted that Russia’s military build-up seemed to be continuing around Ukraine despite Moscow announcing the pullback of more forces.
“We have heard the signs from Moscow about readiness to continue diplomatic efforts, but so far, we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground,” Stoltenberg said ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
“On the contrary, it appears that Russia continues their military build-up,” he said. “We are of course monitoring very closely what Russia does in and around Ukraine. What we see is that they have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way.”
Germany’s Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said the Russian troop build-up on the border “continues to be a cause for concern.”
“There are signals that at least give us hope. But it is important to observe closely whether these words are followed by deeds,” she said.
Stoltenberg said Moscow still maintained the ability to launch a major attack on Ukraine and said NATO remained “prepared for the worst.”
Russian state television showed images of military units crossing a bridge linking the Russia-controlled peninsula to the mainland.
“Units of the Southern Military District, having completed their participation in tactical exercises, are moving to their permanent deployment points,” Moscow’s defense ministry said in a statement.
The statement said tanks, infantry vehicles and artillery were leaving Crimea by rail.
Western leaders remain concerned that Russia could still launch an attack on Ukraine, with US President Joe Biden warning on Tuesday that an attack by Moscow remained “very much a possibility.”
Biden said that despite Russian claims of a troop pullout, Washington and its allies had yet to verify the withdrawal of any of the tens of thousands of troops he says Moscow has now mustered along Ukraine’s border.
Russia will be “judged by its actions” after announcing a troop pullback from Ukraine’s borders, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said Wednesday.
“What we haven’t seen is evidence of withdrawal that has been claimed by the Kremlin,” Wallace told Sky News.
“In fact, we’ve seen continued build-up of things like field hospitals, and strategic weapons systems such as Iskander missiles deployed,” he said, adding Britain “will judge them on their actions.”
“Until we see a proper de-escalation, I think we should all be cautious about the direction of travel from the Kremlin.”
Meanwhile, the Philippines is already reaching out with countries neighboring Ukraine for a possible evacuation or repatriation of Filipinos in the area.
“Rest assured Filipinos in Ukraine will come to no harm; I will be on top of it personally,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said in a tweet.
“From west—Poland, Hungary, Slovakia; south—Romania and Moldova border… Making calls now. It will be a land journey to the closest border,” Locsin added. With AFP