“Putin has a message for the U.S. and its allies: Moscow won’t tolerate creeping expansion by their armed forces into Ukraine ... In Moscow, senior officials and others close to the leadership say the Kremlin aims to make clear that any further western steps to provide weapons or expand military facilities in Ukraine would cross Russia’s red line ... The moves reflect a deep conviction in Moscow that the declining power of a U.S. riven by domestic division and the imminent exit of Merkel, once Europe’s dominant voice, limits the potential for a coordinated western pushback, according to the people close to the Russian leadership ... For Putin, the prospect of North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces on Ukrainian soil is a nightmare scenario that he’ll do anything to stop, a person close to the Russian leadership said” https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/putin-masses-troops-to-tell-nato-to-stay-out-of-ukraine
“U.S. officials, increasingly alarmed by Russia’s monthslong troop build-up near Ukraine, are warning their European counterparts that the Kremlin may be on the verge of another invasion of that country. One senior U.S. national security official even suggested Russian leader Vladimir Putin may also be trying to establish some military capabilities along his western borders in case he sees a need to intervene in Belarus, whose Kremlin-aligned ruler is feuding with European neighbors ... Russian units newly arrived along the border have taken to repositioning themselves under the cover of night, a change from previous troop buildups when Moscow made big, public displays of moving armor and troops on railways and highways during the day” https://news.yahoo.com/u-huddles-allies-over-possible-184250489.html
“The Kremlin on Friday rebuffed allegations that a buildup of its troops near Ukraine reflects Moscow’s aggressive intentions, saying Russia needs to ensure its security in response to alleged NATO threats. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Western media reports that Moscow has intentions to invade Ukraine as a ‘hollow and unfounded attempt to incite tensions.’ ‘Russia doesn’t threaten anyone,’ Peskov said during a conference call with reporters. ‘The movement of troops on our territory shouldn’t be a cause for anyone’s concern.’” https://www.cbs17.com/news/kremlin-denies-plans-to-invade-ukraine-alleges-nato-threats/
