Kyiv, Feb 14 (Agency) Ukraine has called for a meeting with Russia and members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) within 48 hours amid the escalating tensions on its borders. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday said that Russia had ignored formal requests to explain the build-up of troops, BBC reported. Meanwhile, Russia has denied reports that it plans to invade Ukraine despite building about 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine’s borders. Last week, the Minister had asked about Russia’s intentions under the rules of the Vienna Document.
“If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfil its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all,” he said. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be reaching Kyiv on Monday and then go to Russia. Ahead of his departure, Scholz said, any Russia attack would lead to “tough sanctions that we have carefully prepared and which we can immediately put into force”.
On Sunday, President Joe Biden conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the US would “respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression” towards Ukraine. According to the White House, the two leaders also agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders. The Ukrainian President also urged his US counterpart to visit Kyiv “as soon as possible”.