Russian units not withdrawing from Ukraine, but repositioning: NATO

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Russian units in Ukraine are "not withdrawing, but repositioning," the NATO chief said on Thursday.

"Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas region,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during a news conference to present his annual report for 2021.

He said pressure is being kept up on the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and “we can expect additional offensive actions bringing even more suffering.”

Following Tuesday’s peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Russia announced that it would significantly decrease its military activities around Kyiv and Chernihiv to increase trust for future negotiations.

"Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions. We can only judge Russia on its actions, not on its words," Stoltenberg said.

He urged Russia to end the Black Sea blockade and allow Ukraine to export again.

It is "extremely important" to end the blockade, he said, as it is causing high price rises all over the world, impacting food, welfare, and livelihood of people.

Moscow’s Black Sea blockade delays crucial grain exports, which UN voiced concern that it may cause a deepening hunger crisis in countries such as Yemen and Ethiopia.

- Peace talks, chemical weapons threat

Regarding the recent peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Stoltenberg thanked Turkiye for hosting an initiative that seeks an end to the war.

"I welcome all efforts to try to find a political solution to this brutal, senseless war, including the recent talks in Turkey and I also thank Turkey for hosting those talks," he said.

The NATO chief reiterated that any use of chemical weapons would be a blatant violation of international law and it would face "severe consequences."

NATO allies have provided support to Ukraine to help protect itself against any chemical and biological warfare, as well as protective equipment to detect and identify a chemical attack, he added.

Russia's war against Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,189 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,901 injured, according to estimates by the UN, which cautioned that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 4 million Ukrainians have also fled to several European countries, with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.