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| Ukraine crisis: Nato raises fears of Russian invasion under 'pretext of humanitarian or peace-keeping mission' | Ukraine crisis: Nato raises fears of Russian invasion under 'pretext of humanitarian or peace-keeping mission' |
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| Russia has amassed around 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine’s eastern border and could use the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission to invade, Nato has warned. | Russia has amassed around 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine’s eastern border and could use the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission to invade, Nato has warned. |
| Stating the conflict in Ukraine was fuelled by Russia, Nato said in a statement that the troop build-up had further escalated “a dangerous situation”. “We’re not going to guess what’s on Russia’s mind, but we can see what Russia is doing on the ground – and that is of great concern. Russia has amassed around 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine’s eastern border,” said Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu. | Stating the conflict in Ukraine was fuelled by Russia, Nato said in a statement that the troop build-up had further escalated “a dangerous situation”. “We’re not going to guess what’s on Russia’s mind, but we can see what Russia is doing on the ground – and that is of great concern. Russia has amassed around 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine’s eastern border,” said Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu. |
| Nato was concerned that Moscow could use “the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission as an excuse to send troops into eastern Ukraine”, she added. Moscow denies Western accusations that it has armed and supported rebels who are fighting Ukrainian forces in the east of the country. It announced new military exercises to take place all this week, involving bombers and warplanes on Monday in a show of strength near the border with Ukraine. | Nato was concerned that Moscow could use “the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission as an excuse to send troops into eastern Ukraine”, she added. Moscow denies Western accusations that it has armed and supported rebels who are fighting Ukrainian forces in the east of the country. It announced new military exercises to take place all this week, involving bombers and warplanes on Monday in a show of strength near the border with Ukraine. |
| The Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the threat of a “direct intervention” by Russia’s military in Ukraine was “definitely greater than it was a few days ago, or two weeks ago”. Nato said earlier this year that Russia had amassed some 40,000 troops close to the Ukraine border. By June, the number had dropped to less than 1,000, but then Russia started building the force up again. | The Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the threat of a “direct intervention” by Russia’s military in Ukraine was “definitely greater than it was a few days ago, or two weeks ago”. Nato said earlier this year that Russia had amassed some 40,000 troops close to the Ukraine border. By June, the number had dropped to less than 1,000, but then Russia started building the force up again. |
| Donald Tusk, right, Poland's Prime Minister (EPA) Previously, Russia has used military exercises as cover for intervention, military analysts say. The EU and US last week agreed tough new sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, marking a new phase in the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. | |
| Today, the Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered government agencies to restrict imports of food and agricultural products from the countries that imposed the sanctions. Imports would be “banned or limited” for one year, a presidential decree said, without specifying countries or products. Russia depends heavily on imported foodstuffs – most of it from the West. Reuters | Today, the Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered government agencies to restrict imports of food and agricultural products from the countries that imposed the sanctions. Imports would be “banned or limited” for one year, a presidential decree said, without specifying countries or products. Russia depends heavily on imported foodstuffs – most of it from the West. Reuters |