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 30th
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.
