Russia has neither plans nor reasons to invade the territory of Ukraine, nor does it have the military infrastructure prepared for such an operation. First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Vyacheslav Nikonov stated this in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday.
“We have just celebrated the first 100 days since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was first announced [in the West] more than three months ago. Nothing has happened and nothing will happen. Russia has no plans to take over Ukraine, we have no reason there is no military infrastructure to do this either,” Nikonov said and added that it is difficult for Moscow to respond to Western rhetoric, which is only a continuation of “an endless stream of fakes about Russia’s intentions.”
Speaking about the likelihood of an “invasion,” Nikonov drew attention to the close historical, cultural and social ties between the two countries.
“We are not going to attack a friendly country. Period,” he said and emphasized that Russia has every right to move troops across its territory and conduct exercises “where and when it wants.”
Nikonov also emphasized that Russia has every reason to be concerned about the expansion of NATO’s borders and the increase in the alliance’s military presence in Eastern European countries.
Recently, in Western countries, as well as in Kyiv, there have been allegations of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thus, Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin on Tuesday, February 15. The material published by the Politico newspaper states that US President Joe Biden on Friday, during a video conference call with the leaders of allied countries, said that the Russian Federation could allegedly launch an attack on Ukraine on February 16.
Earlier, National Security Advisor to the US President Jake Sullivan said that the White House does not have information about whether Russia has made a final decision on the “invasion” of Ukraine. However, he added that it could begin before February 20. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on February 15 that such an invasion was “highly likely” in the near future. According to her, only a full-scale withdrawal of Russian forces from the borders of Ukraine will dispel Western fears about the alleged possible invasion of the Russian Federation into this country.