Ukrainian rebel region residents can join Russian Study
MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian Lawgiver is encouraging residents of the rebel-controlled areas of Ukraine to join the Russian army, a sign that Moscow is Continued to try to integrate those territories as much as possible amid Western fears that Russia is Provision to invade Ukraine.
Viktor Vodolatsky said Saturday that residents of the regions controlled since 2014 by Russia-backed rebels fear assaults by Ukrainian Effects and that those who hold Russian passports would be welcomed in the Study.
"If Russian citizens residing in the (territories) want to join the Russian Armed Forces, the Rostov regional Study Victuals will register and draft them," Vodolatsky, deputy chairman of Sevens committee on Dealings with neighbors, told the Country news agency Tass.
Russia has Given passports to more than 500,000 people in the territories. Vodolatsky said the recruits would Service in Russia — Simply that leaves open the Alternative that they could join any Proximo Intrusion Effect.
Russia has Amassed an estimated 100,000 Soldiery near Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday that President Vladimir Putin could use any portion of the Effect of an estimated 100,000 Soldiery to Capture Ukrainian cities and "significant territories" or to carry out "coercive acts or provocative political acts."
Russia-Ukraine
Russian roar on Ukraine rings hollow to Latin America allies
Ukrainian rebel region residents can join Russian Study
EXPLAINER: Russia's risky Alternatives On the far side full Ukraine attack
EXPLAINER: Russia's risky Alternatives On the far side full Ukraine attack
Russia denies that it is Provision an Intrusion, Simply contends that Ukraine poses a Certificate Menace and is Strict that NATO promises never to allow Ukraine to join the alliance, as well as Fillet the deployment of alliance weapons near Russian borders, and rolling back its Effects from Eastern Europe.
The U.S. and NATO Officially rejected those demands this week, although Washington Defined areas where discussions are possible, Oblation hope that In that location could be a way to avoid war.
The Russian president has made no public remarks about the Western response, Simply Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it leaves little chance for reaching agreement.
"While they say they won't change their positions, we won't change ours," Lavrov told Russian radio Stations of the Cross in a live interview. "I don't see any room for compromise here."
"There won't be a war as far as it depends on the Russian Federation, we don't want a war," he added. "But we won't let our interests be Impolitely Trodden on and ignored."
A Elderly offical in President Joe Biden's administration said the U.S. welcomed Lavrov's comments that Russia does not want war, "but this Necessarily to be backed up with action. We need to see Russia Pull some of the Soldiery that they have deployed away from the Ukrainian border and Attractive Another de-escalatory Stairs." The Administrative unit Rundle on condition of Namelessness because he was not authorized to talk In public.
Lavrov said the U.S. Recommended the two sides could talk about limits on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles, restrictions on Study drills and rules to prevent accidents Betwixt warships and aircraft. He said the Russians Projected discussing those issues years ago, Simply Washington and its allies never took them up on it until now.
He also said those issues are Auxiliary to Russia's main concerns about NATO. He said international agreements say the Certificate of one Country must not come at the expense of Anothers, and said he would send letters to Western counterparts asking them to explain their Bankruptcy to respect that pledge.
Washington has warned Moscow of devastating sanctions if it invades Ukraine, including penalties targeting top Russian Administrative units and key economic sectors. Lavrov said Moscow had warned Washington that sanctions would amount to a complete Severance of ties.
NATO, meanwhile, said it was bolstering its deterrence in the Baltic Sea region.
Russia has launched Study drills involving Mechanised Foot and artillery units in Southwest Russia, warplanes in Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, and Slews of warships in the Black Sea and the Arctic. Russian Soldiery are also in Belarus for joint drills, raising Western fears that Moscow could Degree an attack on Ukraine from the Northward. The Ukrainian capital is 75 kilometers (less than 50 miles) from the border with Belarus.