The exercises, originally set to end Sunday, brought a sizable contingent of Russian forces to neighboring Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north.
The presence of the Russian troops raised concern that they could be used to sweep down on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said Sunday that"the big question remains: does the Kremlin want dialogue?" Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine on Saturday ordered a full military mobilization and sent more civilians to Russia, which has issued about 700,000 passports to residents of the rebel-held territories. Claims that Russian citizens are being endangered might be used as justification for military action.
Ukraine's leader criticized the U.S. and other Western nations for holding back on new sanctions for Russia. Zelenskyy, in comments before the conference, also questioned the West's refusal to allow Ukraine to join NATO immediately. U.S. President Joe Biden said late Friday that based on the latest American intelligence, he was now"convinced" that Putin has decided to invade Ukraine in coming days and assault the capital.
Ukraine and the separatist leaders traded accusations of escalation. Russia on Saturday said at least two shells fired from a government-held part of eastern Ukraine landed across the border, but Ukraine's foreign minister dismissed that claim as"a fake statement." "Right now, we don't respond to their fire because ..." the soldier started to explain before being interrupted by the sound of an incoming shell."Oh! They are shooting at us now. They are aiming at the command post."
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
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