Sliver Of Hope: Kremlin Saw Diplomatic Pathways In Ukraine

The Kremlin signaled Monday, he was ready to continue talking to the West about security complaints that caused the current Ukrainian crisis, offering hope that Russia might not attack the surrounding neighbors in a few days as US feared and European allies.

However, the question remains about the intention of Russian President Vladimir Putin. And countries are evacuating diplomats and alert to the possibility of war that will soon occur in the midst of the worst East-West tension since the Cold War.

On the last diplomatic trip, the German Chancellor said there was a “no reasonable reason” for the buildup of more than 130,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border to the north, south and east, and he urged more dialogue.

The British Prime Minister said Europe was “on the edge of the gap” – but added, “There is still time for President Putin to retreat.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, told French television that “all elements” were in a place for strong Russian offensive, but “no one showed today” that Putin had decided to launch it.

Despite the warning from Washington, London and elsewhere that Russian forces could move in Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, Monday’s meeting between Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested the opposite.

In the session with Putin, Lavrr argued that Moscow had to hold more talks with the US and his allies despite their rejection to consider Russian’s main security demands.

Moscow, who denied having a plan to attack Ukraine, wanted Western guarantees that NATO would not allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members. He also wants an alliance to stop the spread of weapons to Ukraine and turn back his troops from Eastern Europe – demands rejected by the West.

Talks “cannot go indefinitely, but I would suggest continuing and expanding it at this stage,” said Lavrov, noting that Washington has offered to conduct a dialogue at the limit for the spread of missiles in Europe, restrictions on military training and other trust -step. Lavrov said the possibility for the conversation “far from fatigue.”

The comment, on the appearance arranged for TV cameras, seems to be designed to send messages to the world about Putin’s own position: that is, that expectations for diplomatic solutions are not dead.

Putin noted the West can try drawing Russia to “endless talks” and question whether there is still a chance to reach an agreement. Lavrov replies that his service will not allow the US and his allies to striking Russian’s main demand.

The U.S. Cold reacts with Lavrov comments.

“The path for Diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to be constructively involved,” said Deputy Head of the White Basic Secretary of Karine Jean-Pierre. “However, we are clear about that prospect, considering Russian steps take the land before the eyes.”

Officials A.S. Said the Russian military continued the preparation of a clear attack along the Ukrainian border. A defense official A. said a small number of Russian land units had come out of a larger assembly area for several days, taking a closer position to the Ukrainian border on what would be the departure point if Putin launched an invasion.

The official spoke with anonymous requirements to discuss information that was not publicly released. CBS news first reported the unit movement.

Satellite images taken for the past 48 hours showed an increase in Russian military activity in Belarus, Crimea and West Russia, including the arrival of helicopters, land aircraft, and jet combat-bomber on site. The photos also showed land strength that left the garnisonon and combat units they moved into the convoy formation, according to Maxar Technologies, a commercial satellite image company that had monitored Russian buildup.

The Head of the Ukrainian Security Council and the Olksiy Danilov defense council decreased the threat of invasion but warned the risk of “internal destabilization” by unspecified troops.