Ukrainian president calls for calm

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Ukrainian president calls for calm


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels last month EPA

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (1978) has called on his people to calm down over ongoing tensions with Russia. According to the Ukrainian authorities, a Russian invasion is not yet imminent. "There is no reason to pack your bags," said Ukraine's defense minister.

Nevertheless, some of the American, Canadian and British embassy personnel leave Ukraine, along with their families. Staff members of the Dutch embassy and their families may return to the Netherlands if they wish, Minister Wopke Hoekstra said earlier today.

The Ukrainian government calls the current situation "threatening" and therefore a ship with US military aid is welcome to strengthen the Ukrainian army. The US has 8,500 military personnel ready to travel if the conflict escalates. NATO also has troops ready and is sending more naval ships and combat aircraft to Eastern Europe. The Kremlin calls these actions 'Western hysteria'.

Demands

Russia says it has no plans to invade Ukraine, even though Moscow has quickly stationed some 100,000 military personnel in the border area. The fear is that Russia will invade Ukraine if the US and NATO do not respond to Russia's demands that Ukraine never join NATO and that NATO withdraws from former Warsaw Pact countries.

Russia wants to hear from the US this week whether those demands are being met. But according to the White House, Vladimir Putin is unlikely to get his way. Washington takes the position that countries should be allowed to decide for themselves whether they want to join NATO.

Monday night, Biden spoke via video link with the leaders of the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, France and Germany. NATO CEO Stoltenberg, EU President Charles Michel and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission also took part in the conversation. Afterwards, the leaders said they support Ukraine and that Russia will pay a heavy price for aggression against Ukraine.

Joe Biden has already held talks with Vladimir Putin twice about the matter, but to no avail. Vladimir Putin will meet this week with French President Emmanuel Macron, who will in turn meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Diplomatic solution

The Dutch Minister Wopke Bastiaan Hoekstra (Bennekom, Netherlands, 30 september 1975) of Foreign Affairs still believes in a diplomatic solution to the conflict. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier today that "there are still ways to allay Russia's fears and objections".


The Dutch Minister Wopke Hoekstra (1975) of Foreign Affairs still believes in a diplomatic solution to the conflict


British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier today that "there are still ways to allay Russia's fears and objections".