Putin Threatens ‘Military Conflict’ After Accusing U.S. Of Ignoring His Concerns

Topline

In his first public comments in over a month on Russia’s tense standoff with the West, President Vladimir Putin said the United States may push Russia into “armed conflict” after refusing to comply with his demand for a pledge to keep Ukraine out of NATO, shortly after Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the U.S.’ commitment to Ukraine and pushed Russia to move thousands of troops away from the Ukrainian border in a Tuesday phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to a U.S. readout.

Key Facts

During a press conference Tuesday, Putin said he is reviewing a written American response to Russia’s requests delivered last week but claimed it “basically ignored” his security concerns, chief of which is that eastward expansion of NATO presents a threat to Russia.

Putin accused the U.S. of using Ukraine as a “tool” to curb Russia, stating that the U.S. threat of sanctions may “drag [Russia]

into some kind of military conflict, armed conflict.”

Blinken “urged Russia to pursue a diplomatic path,” and stood by Ukraine’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of all countries to determine their own foreign policy and alliances,” according to the State Department.

Key Background

In recent months, Russia has positioned more than 125,000 troops near Ukraine’s border, prompting fears Putin could order an invasion of the former Soviet state in an effort to bring Ukraine back into Russia’s orbit. Putin last publicly addressed Russia’s intentions in Ukraine December 23, telling reporters Russia doesn’t “want any military action” while blaming NATO for provoking Russia into any military aggression. President Joe Biden said last week there is a “distinct possibility” that Russia could invade Ukraine in February. The U.S. and its allies have pursued a diplomatic resolution with Russia, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, called Russia’s military buildup at the Ukraine border “urgent and dangerous” at a United Nations Security Council meeting convened Monday. On Monday, both the U.S. and the U.K. unveiled plans to levy financial sanctions against Russian elites closely connected to Putin if Russia invades Ukraine. 

Contra

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently downplayed the risk of a Russian attack and urged Western leaders not to stir panic. His actions say otherwise: Zelensky announced a plan Tuesday to add 100,000 troops to Ukraine’s military over the next three years, though he said it was “not because we will soon have a war.”

Tangent

Earlier Tuesday, Putin met in Moscow with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a right-wing leader who has governed the country since 2010 and is widely seen as an autocrat. During their meeting, the two leaders sat at opposite ends of a massive table. The Guardian speculated the extreme social distance between the two could be because Orbán did not quarantine before seeing Putin, typically a requirement for most Russian officials.

Further Reading

White House Confirms Plan To Impose Sanctions Against Kremlin’s ‘Inner Circle’ (Forbes)

Russia Sanctions Bill At ‘1-Yard Line,’ Says Key Senator (Forbes)

Here’s What To Know About The Russia Talks So Far—And What To Watch For Next (Forbes)

Putin Wouldn’t Be Hurt By Personal Sanctions Suggested By Biden, Russia Says (Forbes)

Biden Says ‘No Intention’ To Deploy U.S. Troops In Ukraine– Here’s What The U.S. Is Prepared To Do Instead (Forbes)