Is Russia-Ukraine War Imminent? Contrary To Putin's Statement, More Troops Added Near Border

NATO has indicated that Russian military troops continue to build up around the Ukraine border despite Vladimir Putin's insistence of not wanting to start a war. Russia earlier announced it was partially withdrawing its armed forces who were deployed and strategically positioned in what could be poised as an imminent invasion of Ukraine.

Although there were no specific details given as to the volume of soldiers being pulled back and where they are being moved, Western-allied forces say there has been no de-escalation movement. In fact, according to the Associated Press, the United States claimed in a warning that Russia has added over 7,000 armed military forces with more recent deployment arrivals Wednesday.

An earlier statement from Russia’s defense ministry, said it was withdrawing military troops from the border after concluding large-scale military drills in the southern and western districts near Ukraine. But in an interview with media, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said critical military Russian units have been seen moving towards the border and not pulling away from it.

“There’s what Russia says. And then there’s what Russia does. And we haven’t seen any pullback of its forces,” Blinken said in an interview on MSNBC.

Based on an analysis of the situation by a senior Western intelligence official, clear and imminent aggression against Ukraine will remain quite high for the entirety of February, with Russia highly likely to invade Ukraine with little-to-no warning.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the erratic back and forth movement of troops is not enough proof of military de-escalation efforts. Stoltenberg later added that such movements will be evident via satellite imagery to prove Moscow’s failure to pull back its troops. “What we see is that they have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way. So, so far, no de-escalation,” the NATO Secretary-General said at an alliance meeting in Brussels.

Meanwhile, a senior US administration official who is not authorized to speak publicly said, there are sensitive operations coming about between the US and Ukraine. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the United States and Ukraine are developing biological/chemical weapons while claiming the West has been funneling in guerillas to kill Ukrainians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it is too early to rejoice as he remains skeptical of any talks on Russian troop withdrawals. He has continued to urge Ukrainians to participate and show support on Wednesday having declared it as a Day of National Unity where Ukrainians across the country were asked to wave flags in the streets and fly them in their homes. At Kyiv’s Olympic Stadium, hundreds of Ukrainians unfolded a 200-meter (650-foot) flag.

“We are united by a desire to happily live in peace, we can defend our home only if we stay united," Zelensky said in his national address earlier in the day.