150,000 Russian Troops on Ukraine’s Border

European officials have finally publically taken note that the only war in Europe today is on the verge of exploding across the continent.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who is remembered for unsuccessfully testing in March Russia's attitude to the European Union, declared that there are 150,000 Russian soldiers near the border with Ukraine, adding with trepidation that a spark could greatly enflame the seven-year Russo-Ukraine War. As a consequence, Ukraine, the Baltics and perhaps Poland could be engulfed in a war like the one that Nazi Germany waged.

The European Union’s tepid reaction thus far leads one to think that it’s actually waiting for such a fatal spark.

Borrell acknowledged this dangerous state of affairs at a meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss the situation in Ukraine, at the European Council building in Brussels on Monday, April 19.

Despite dangerous developments in Europe and around the world, Borrell confessed after a virtual meeting of the EU foreign ministers that, “for the time being, there is no move in the field of more sanctions” to be imposed on Russia. Why not? Have they been punished enough? Have they been made to feel the pain of the war that they ignited? Have they been forced to withdraw from Ukraine?

As history has shown on more than one occasion, Moscow shows anger but quickly swallows the West’s punitive actions and goes on with its policies regardless of scorn or admiration.

Compared with other instances of Moscow’s crimes, Borrell said there’s nothing more dangerous at this time than the massing of Russian troops, including military field hospitals, and “all kinds of warfare.”

Looked upon objectively, all of what Borrell listed smells of an impending third Russian invasion of Ukraine after Crimea and Donbas.

“It is the highest military deployment of the Russian army on the Ukrainian borders ever. It’s clear that it’s a matter of concern when you deploy a lot of troops,” Borrell said. “Well, a spark can jump here or there.”

“There’s more than 150,000 Russian troops massing on the Ukrainian borders and in Crimea. The risk of further escalation — it’s evident,” he told reporters after the meeting. If it’s evident, then why doesn’t the EU do something about it?

Borrell declined to say where he got the 150,000 Russian troop number from, but called it “my reference figure.” It’s bigger than the 110,000 estimate provided by Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran last week.

The latest threat comes a few months ahead of Ukraine’s 30^th independence anniversary, an occasion that Russia certainly would like to eradicate. To be fair, the free world has stood up and condemned Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine and opposed the annexation but has been unable to do anything about it.

Ukraine, Navalny, the Czech Republic, Myanmar, Syria and the list of Russian transgressions could go on and on. Fortunately, countries are becoming more outspoken about Russia’s crimes. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, for one, denounced Moscow as the greatest security threat to Europe.

 “All in all, the relations with Russia, are not improving, but the contrary, the tension is increasing in different fronts,” Borrell said. “We call on Russia to withdraw their troops,” Borrell said. Vladimir Putin will certainly heed his demand.

However, others, like the United States and Great Britain are shunning words in favor of sending war materiel to Ukraine and warships into the Black Sea.

Pleas to the Kremlin usually fall on deaf ears. Russia is staying faithful to its mission of reestablishing its empire – its prison of nations on our watch. Our generation will have to answer for this immoral failure.