The tension is not easing due to the lack of de-escalation of the Ukraine-Russia crisis .

Despite the Kremlin's seemingly reassuring and calming words about an alleged withdrawal of Russian troops at the border, according to US President Joe Biden "we have reason to believe" that Russia is preparing a "false flag" operation in Ukraine. risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remains "very high" and a Russian attack in Ukraine is possible "in the next few days".

DRAGONS IN MOSCOW - Meanwhile, European leaders met in the EU Council in Brussels. "For the moment there have been no episodes of de-escalation on the ground", confirmed the Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi: "We must pursue the strategy of firm deterrence, we must not show ourselves weak". "Our unity is what struck Russia most - he added -. We cannot renounce the founding principles of the Alliance".

Soon the premier will go on a mission to Moscow: "The goal - he said - is now to get Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sit at the table. Italy is doing everything possible to support this direction".

NATO: "NO SIGN OF WITHDRAWAL" - "Despite Moscow's claims, so far we have not seen any signs of a withdrawal" of the troops, "nor of a reduction in escalation. On the contrary," said the NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, the mass of Russian troops on the border "continues".

Russia "has deployed sufficient forces and capabilities to launch a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine with very little or no warning, which is why the situation is so dangerous" and NATO does not know Moscow's "exact intentions". The massing of Russian troops is not part of "normal activities", it is something "threatening" which suggests that they can "launch an attack without warning".

The number one of NATO then reaffirmed the principle of self-determination: "The door of NATO remains open, any decision on joining NATO is up to the Allies and aspiring countries and no one else". The right of each nation "to choose its own path is absolutely fundamental for European and transatlantic security and must be respected".

(Unioneonline / D)

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