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Security experts skeptical of Russian withdrawal from Ukraine borders

Feb 16, 2022

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Tuesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it was pulling back some troops that had been training near Ukraine’s borders. But security have not been able to confirm the claim.

On the contrary, we continue to see forces, especially forces that would be in the vanguard of any renewed aggression against Ukraine, continuing to be at the border, to mass at the border,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Good Morning America. 

“They [Russia] have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way. So far, there is no de-escalation,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

The White House calculates there are now 150,000 Russian troops stationed at Ukraine’s borders.

“Russia relies on confusion,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said. “Russia relies on misinformation and disinformation to cover its tracks. We should all expect that and we should all be ready for it.”

Michael McFaul, the former U.S. Ambassador to Russia testified before the House Oversight Committee’s National Security subcommittee, telling the group, regardless of Russia’s plans for Ukraine, the United States needs to prepare for future attacks.

“We will be dealing with this crisis of Russia’s threat to democracy and sovereignty in that part of the world for as long as Putin remains in power,” McFaul said. 

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SECURITY EXPERTS AREN’T RELAXING AMID REPORTS FROM the RUSSIAn defense ministry  it HAS PULLED BACK SOME OF ITS TROOPS FROM THE UKRAINIAN BORDERS. 

Here’s secretary of state antony blinken WEDNESDAY on gma:

TAKE SOT- ANTONY BLINKEN

<<“On the contrary, we continue to see forces, especially forces that would be in the vanguard of any renewed aggression against Ukraine, continuing to be at the border, to mass at the border,”>>

TAKE SOT- Jens Stoltenberg NATO Secretary General 

021622 NATO Secretary General – Doorstep statement at Defence Ministers Meeting

(3:10-3:21)

<<”They have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way. So far, there is no de-escalation”>>

Annie Andersen: THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THEIR INTELLIGENCE REPORTS CALCULATE 150 THOUSAND RUSSIAN TROOPS NOW AT UKRAINE’S BORDERS.. MORE THAN THE 140 THOUSAND A WEEK AGO.

TAKE SOT- NED PRICE, Spokesperson US State Department

<<”Russia relies on confusion, Russia relies on obfiscation, Russia relies on misinformation and disinformation to cover its tracks. We should all expect that and we should all be ready for it.”>>

Annie Andersen: TUESDAY PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED THEY ARE STILL HOPING DIPLOMACY WILL WORK.. BUT ARE PREPARING IF IT DOESN’T 

ONE WAY IS WITH ECONOMIC SANCTIONS FOR RUSSIA. 

COMMERCE SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO TOLD PUNCHBOWL NEWS… IF RUSSIA ATTACKS, “we want a severe, swift, immediate economic retaliation.”

THE U-S IS ALSO PREPARING LOGISTICALLY..THE C–I-A is LEAVING ITS HEADQUARTERS AT THE EMBASSY IN KIEV. 

ONE THING BIDEN STILL MAINTAINS THE U-S WON’T DO – PUT TROOPS ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE.

TAKE SOT- Joe BIDEN

<<While I will not send American servicemen to fight Russia in Ukraine, we have supplied the Ukrainian military with equipment to help them defend themselves.  We have provided training and advice and intelligence for the same purpose. >>

Annie Andersen: A MOVE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP COMMENDED DURING WEDNESDAY’S HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE NATIONAL SECURITY HEARING. 

TAKE SOT- REP. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)

<<”while an invasion of Ukraine is incompatible with international law and will be met with swift and forceful sanctions from the United States and NATO – no U.S. troops should step foot in Ukraine.”>>

Annie Andersen: MICHAEL MCFAUL… THE FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA TOLD THE SUBCOMMITTEE EVEN IF RUSSIA DOESN’T ATTACK UKRAINE.. THE U-S NEEDS TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE ATTACKS. 

TAKE SOT- MICHAEL MCFAUL

<<“We will be dealing with this crisis of Russia’s threat to democracy and sovereignty in that part of the world for as long as Putin remains in power,”>>

Annie Andersen: STRAIGHT FROM DC I’M AA