US says Russia has added 7,000 troops along Ukraine border, despite claims of pullback

[dalton99a]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/16/politics/russian-troops-biden-administration/index.html

US says Russia has added 7,000 troops along Ukraine border, despite claims of pullback
By Kevin Liptak, CNN
Updated 9:12 PM ET, Wed February 16, 2022

(CNN) Russian forces massed along Ukraine's borders have increased by approximately 7,000 troops in recent days, the United States alleged Wednesday evening, despite claims from Moscow it was pulling back.

A senior US administration official said the increase renders Russia's assertion of withdrawal "false," and warned President Vladimir Putin's public openness to diplomacy was a guise.

"Every indication we have now is they mean only to publicly offer to talk, and make claims about de-escalation, while privately mobilizing for war," the official said.

The new estimates would place the number of Russian forces north of the 150,000 figure President Joe Biden cited in a televised address earlier this week. Western leaders had already greeted Russia's claims of withdrawal with skepticism. On Tuesday, Biden said during a speech in the East Room that a withdrawal of Russian troops would be "good," but that he had yet to see any evidence that such a pullback was underway.

"Our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position," Biden said. "And the fact remains right now Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine's border."

[uponit7771]

1. Because Russia occupied Crimea then illegally annexed it he's TECHNICALLY lost the benefit of doubt

... and that gives the west the moral high up to open up cans of whoop ass on him.

This is a really stupid move by Putin

[BigmanPigman]

2. NO BODY believes Putin, ever.

Putin is a fucking moron of he thinks any body would believe a word out of his weak chinned, beady eyed ugly puss. Duh!

[Takket]

3. Wait is this article accusing Russia of LYING???