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From Russian military movements on the Ukrainian border in November, to the order given by Moscow to its troops to enter the separatist territories in the east of the country, a look back at the escalation of tensions around Ukraine.
– Fear of an offensive –
On November 10, 2021, Washington demanded explanations from Russia on “unusual” troop movements on the Ukrainian border.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Westerners of delivering weapons to Kiev and conducting “provocative” military exercises in the region.
On the 28th, Ukraine assures us that Russia has deployed nearly 92,000 soldiers on its borders. Moscow accuses Ukraine of massing troops in the east, where a war pits Kiev against Moscow-backed separatists.
– Biden-Putin summit –
On December 7, US President Joe Biden threatens Moscow with “strong economic sanctions” in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow unveils two draft treaties to notably ban any membership of Ukraine in NATO and obtain the withdrawal of NATO forces from the countries of the former Soviet space.
– Forces on alert –
On the 18th, Moscow deployed soldiers to Belarus.
Washington releases new aid for Ukraine and authorizes the Baltic countries to deliver American weapons to Kiev.
On the 24th, NATO announced the dispatch of ships and combat planes to reinforce its defenses in Eastern Europe. Washington places 8,500 soldiers on alert.
Moscow launches new maneuvers near Ukraine and in Crimea.
– The “no” in Moscow –
On the 26th, Washington rejects Moscow’s key demands.
Russian and Ukrainian emissaries meet French and German mediators in Paris to try to relaunch the peace process in Eastern Ukraine.
– Beijing alongside Moscow –
On the 27th, Beijing judges Moscow’s concerns for its security to be “reasonable”.
On February 2, Washington sends 3,000 additional soldiers to Eastern Europe.
– Putin ready for “compromises” –
On the 7th, Putin said he was ready to “compromise” after an interview with French President Emmanuel Macron.
On the 10th, the Russian and Belarusian armies began large-scale maneuvers in Belarus.
– “Real” risk of war –
On the 11th, NATO insists on the “real risk of a new armed conflict” in Europe. Several countries call on their nationals to leave Ukraine.
Washington decides to send 3,000 additional soldiers to Poland.
On the 14th, the United States decided to move its embassy from Kiev to Lviv (West).
– Withdrawal or reinforcement? –
On the 15th, the Kremlin announced the “partial withdrawal” of its forces to the Ukrainian borders.
On the 16th, NATO and Washington say they see no sign of de-escalation.
– Clashes in the East –
On the 17th, exchanges of heavy weapons fire intensified along the front line between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.
Biden considers a possible Russian offensive “in the coming days”, while Moscow has deployed more than 150,000 soldiers, according to American intelligence.
On the 18th, the separatists ordered the evacuation of civilians to Russia.
Antony Blinken denounces the implementation by Moscow of “provocations” to justify an attack.
– Imminent strike? –
On the 19th, the Ukrainian army announced the death of two of its soldiers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposes a meeting with Putin who, at the same time, supervises “strategic” exercises with “hypersonic” missile fire.
Russian troops “getting ready to strike” according to Washington. France and Germany urge their nationals to leave Ukraine.
– Putin recognizes the independence of the separatists –
On the 21st, the Elysée indicates that the Russian and American presidents have accepted its principle of a Putin-Biden summit. But the Kremlin considers this announcement “premature”.
The Russian army claims to have killed five “saboteurs” from Ukraine on its territory and to have arrested a soldier, Kiev denies having sent these men.
In a televised address, Putin announces that he recognizes the independence of the pro-Russian separatist territories. The EU promises sanctions.
The Russian president orders his army to enter separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.
– Conviction and first sanctions –
A few hours later, during an emergency meeting, the UN and a majority of members of the Security Council condemn the Russian decisions.
On the 22nd, the United States announced that they were going to impose new sanctions against Russia.
The European Union (EU) will also decide on the first sanctions on Tuesday, announces the head of its diplomacy Josep Borrell.
For its part, Russia assures that it is always “ready” for negotiations with the American Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is due to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Thursday.
Understanding the reasons for the tensions in Ukraine in five points