Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). yunhap news A Ukrainian soldier fires mortars at Russian troops outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, on the 30th (local time). Russia has said it will move its troops to eastern Donbas, but shelling continues outside the capital Kiiu, local media reported. yunhap news
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on the 31st (local time) that Russian troops in Ukraine are in the process of redeployment, not withdrawal.
“According to information, Russian troops are not withdrawing, they are relocating,” Stoltenberg told reporters at a press conference on the 2021 annual report in Brussels, Belgium. We are trying to resupply and strengthen the offensive,” he said.
The Donbas region, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine facing Russia, is known as a stronghold of pro-Russian rebels.
The day before, on the 30th, the Ministry of Defense of Russia hinted at the reorganization of the Russian army deployed in Kiiu, the Ukrainian capital, while referring to “the completion of the Donbas ‘liberation operation'”. Earlier, on the 25th, he declared that he would “focus on the complete liberation of the Donbas region.”
“Nevertheless, Russia continues to put pressure on Kiiu and other cities,” Stoltenberg said.
He had been informed that Russia would reduce military operations around Kiiu and northern Ukraine, but emphasized that the criterion for judging Russia is not words, but actions.
“NATO allies are not convinced that Russia is currently working hard on peace negotiations with Ukraine,” he added.
In addition, Secretary-General Stoltenberg urged Russia to “end this pointless war, withdraw its troops, and engage in dialogue with sincerity”.
