Ukraine separatists have received even more Russian tanks, and the possibility of peace is being threatened.
In a related report by The Inquisitr , representatives for Vladimir Putin have claimed that “Russophobia” over World War 3 starting is causing the Western media to write articles that vilify Russia’ action in Ukraine, including the annexation of Crimea. But even the U.S. state department has accused Russia of providing heavy weapons, including tanks :
“Russia will claim these tanks were taken from Ukrainian forces, but no Ukrainian tank units have been operating in that area. We are confident that these tanks came from Russia…. We also have information that Russia has accumulated multiple rocket launchers at this same deployment site in southwest Russia, and these rocket launchers also recently departed. Internet video has shown what we believe to be these same rocket launchers traveling through Luhansk.”
Although the 1,000 Russian troops stationed within miles of the Ukrainian border are worrisome, this is actually quite a reduction in force since there used to a force of tens of thousands surrounding eastern Ukraine. Even the Pentagon confirmed that the large mass of Russia’s military has moved away from the border. But NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that recent development may indicate the plans for peace have faltered:
“I consider this [troop build-up] a very regrettable step backwards. It seems that Russia keeps the option open to intervene further into Ukraine.”
It has also been reported that Ukraine separatists do not want to work with the terms of the ceasefire offered by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, and they’re asking for Russia to intervene. Now the Associated Press has reported that even more Russian tanks have entered the fray:
“The Ukrainian government briefed Western diplomats in Kiev on Friday and told them it has evidence that 10 additional tanks, along with fuel trucks and supporting vehicles, crossed the border between the countries in the last 24 hours. The U.S. official said the U.S. government has independently confirmed additional tanks departed from a deployment site in southwest Russia on Thursday.”
An unnamed U.S. official claims that if Russia continues to escalate tensions then the Obama administration will respond with sanctions:
“If its destabilization of Ukraine does not abate and it does not support this peace plan, there will be more costs. More costs in the form of isolation and sanctions. The idea here is to deny Russia the kinds of investment and next-generation technology that it needs to continue to grow.”
Of course, some experts believe both Russia and China have already begun economic warfare with the United States.