Western countries have slammed Russia for failing to attend talks aimed at suppressing violence in Ukraine amid a military build-up on the Moscow border.
Russia did not want to take part in today’s OSCE meeting with Ukraine to explain its unusual military build – up on Ukraine’s borders and in occupied Crimea. We regret that Russia did not use this opportunity to address issues and reduce risks, ‘tweeted the US mission at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Russia did not want to participate today @OSCE meeting with Ukraine to explain the unusual military build-up on the borders and in occupied Crimea. We regret that Russia did not take this opportunity to address concerns and the risks posed by the #WienDokument. pic.twitter.com/wwkBxFD4Us
– US mission to the OSCE (@usosce) 10 April 2021
Ukraine has called for talks with the OSCE amid rising tensions on the border between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian military.
France and Germany, which had previously sounded the alarm over Russia’s violence and military build – up on the border, had urged Russia on Saturday to reconsider its approach and commit in good faith to its political-military ties with To comply with OSCE. ”
“This approach does not help to allay concerns about the merging of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border and into occupied Crimea,” Poland’s delegation added to the OSCE on the same day.
We regret it #Russia refused to attend the meeting convened today at the request of #Ukraine in accordance with the #WienDokument. This approach does not help to allay concerns about the accumulation of RU troops along the UA border and in occupied Crimea. pic.twitter.com/ahjC9qogLc
– Poland in the OSCE (@PLinOSCE) 10 April 2021
Ukraine announced last week that it would hold joint military exercises with NATO troops later this year amid rising tensions with Russia. The country has issued a statement declaring an ‘escalation’ at the front, citing a ‘significant increase in shootings and armed provocations by Russian armed forces’.
Ukraine, which represents NATO’s frontline in Eastern Europe against Russian enlargement, has also increased pressure on its Western allies to ‘go ahead and increase international political and economic pressure on Russia’.
In turn, Moscow warned that any deployment of NATO personnel to Ukraine could increase tensions along the Ukrainian border.