Russia: Ukraine will not attack on Wednesday

 

Russia's EU ambassador has ruled out attacks on Ukraine in the coming days. He told De Welt newspaper, "There will be no escalation in tension in the coming week or in the week after or in the coming month". Russia's ambassador to the European Union, Vladimir Chizov, has dismissed suggestions that his country is about to attack Ukraine. The New York Times, citing a US intelligence source, said Moscow was discussing Wednesday (February 16) as the date for military action on Ukraine, which Chizov denied in comments published in the German newspaper De Welt. What did Chizhov say? He told de Welt, "As far as Russia is concerned, I can assure you that there will be no attack on this Wednesday." There will be no escalation in tensions in the coming month," Chizov said, adding that "wars in Europe rarely start on Wednesdays." Moscow's ambassador to Brussels made similar remarks in December. US officials have since said that their intelligence suggests Russia may be planning an attack on Ukraine before the end of the Winter Olympics on February 20. Chizov denounces US allegations of possible attack on Ukraine

"When you make allegations, especially very serious allegations against Russia, you also have the responsibility to present the evidence. Otherwise it is slander," he asked, "so where is the evidence?" US and European countries recalled citizens from Ukraine urging the West to take Russia's security concerns seriously, saying: "When our allies finally listen to our legitimate concerns, the reconciliation process between the countries will take a long time to come." "It will be in the interest of all Europeans from Lisbon to Vladivostok, but also all other countries of the world," he said. Before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. On Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz arrived in Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. These talks and the atmosphere created before it are showing signs of reducing tension. Before Putin's meeting with Schultz, Russia began removing some troops from the Ukrainian border. AA/CK (AFP, AP)