Boris Johnson sees diplomatic opening with Russia, but intelligence not encouraging
February 15, 2022, 4:21 pm

Boris Johnson sees diplomatic opening with Russia, but intelligence not encouraging

Boris Johnson: I want to thank every member of our Armed Forces currently serving in Europe, standing side by side with their NATO counterparts at its eastern flank/Official Facebook page

The US News reported, citing Reuters, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that Britain sees signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia over Ukraine, but the latest intelligence is still not encouraging.

Russia said some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine, following days of U.S. and British warnings that Moscow might invade its neighbour at any time.

Johnson told reporters: "Going into today clearly there are signs of a diplomatic opening, there always has been an opportunity to talk, there are grounds for a conversation about Ukraine, with Ukraine - and that's good. We are seeing Russian openness to conversations."

"On the other hand, the intelligence that we're seeing today is still not encouraging."

Statement on Ukraine: 15 February 2022
There are signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia, but the intelligence we are seeing today is not encouraging. We have a tough package of sanctions ready if Russia chooses war. We maintain that diplomacy and de-escalation is the only way forward.
Posted by Boris Johnson on Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Britain has threatened sanctions against Russia for any further incursion into Ukraine, which Johnson said could extend to stopping Russian companies raising money in London.

The Ukrainian Vacuum

Johnson said that British intelligence suggested Russian field hospitals were being constructed in Belarus near the border with Ukraine, which he said "certainly can be construed as preparation for an invasion."

He said: "You've got more battalion tactical groups actually being brought closer to the border with Ukraine."

Liz Truss: Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent

"So mixed signals I think at the moment and all the more reason therefore for us to remain very tough and very united, particularly on the economic sanctions."

Source: usnews

Damascus and As Suwayda holding indirect negotiations after suspending protests At least four people died and 17 still missing as Spanish fishing vessel sinks off Canada

Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.