(Kiev) The United States repeated on Sunday that Ukraine could be invaded “at any time” by Russia after the failure of the last diplomatic efforts, a “critical” situation that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will try to defuse on Monday in Kiev and Tuesday in Moscow.
Updated yesterday at 5:37 p.m.
In a telephone conversation on Sunday evening, US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to pursue “diplomacy” and “deterrence” against Moscow.
Mr. Zelensky also invited Mr. Biden to come to Kyiv. “I am convinced that your visit to Kiev in the coming days […] would be a strong signal and would contribute to stabilizing the situation, ”said the Ukrainian president, according to a press release from his services, to the American president.
Washington, for its part, made no reference to this invitation in its report of the conversation, during which Joe Biden again promised a “swift and resolute” response from the United States, in coordination with their allies, in the event Russian attack.
Often accused of being too complacent towards Russia, worried Germany raised its voice on Sunday.
“We are in the midst of a risk of military conflict, of war in Eastern Europe and it is Russia that bears the responsibility,” said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his part warned that Western sanctions would be “immediate” in the event of a Russian invasion.
Tensions are at their peak with 130,000 Russian soldiers massed on the Ukrainian border conducting all-out maneuvers.
“Very dangerous” situation
Washington reiterated on Sunday that the Russians could attack “at any time”, the day after a call between Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin which did not give them “reason for optimism”.
The situation has reached a “critical” point, said a German government source. “Our concern grew […] We think the situation is critical, very dangerous.”
It remains to be seen whether the finding will push Germany to reconsider its reluctance regarding arms deliveries to Ukraine, which it is blocking within the framework of NATO, and the future of Nord Stream 2, the controversial gas pipeline built to transport Russian gas on its territory bypassing Ukraine.
The German chancellor assured US senators last week that the pipeline “would not go ahead” if Russia invaded Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to visit Europe again this week to continue his diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis around Ukraine, his office said on Sunday.
Another diplomatic trip planned for Boris Johnson
In the coming days, Boris Johnson will speak to other leaders about the current situation and plans to visit Europe again towards the end of the week. Two weeks ago, he went to Kiev to support Ukraine.
The Conservative leader would particularly like to talk with the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries, after meeting last week with the Secretary General of NATO and the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, the Canada, Italy, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Netherlands and EU.
“The crisis on the Ukrainian border has reached a critical point. All the information we have suggests that Russia could be planning an invasion of Ukraine at any time. This would have dire consequences for Ukraine and Russia,” a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.
“There is still a window of opportunity for de-escalation and diplomacy, and the Prime Minister will continue to work tirelessly alongside our allies to bring Russia back from the brink,” he continued.