Tension Rises Over South Korean Medical Unit Deployment to Ukraine Front... Divergent Views Between US and Europe

Concerns Over Possible Russian Invasion in Mid-Next Month
Russia: "US Nuclear Weapons Deployed in NATO Member States Must Be Withdrawn"
"European Countries Suggest Hybrid War More Likely Than Full-Scale War"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russia is reported to have deployed medical units to the frontline region along the border with Ukraine, tensions between the West and Russia surrounding Ukraine are escalating further. In the United States, amid concerns about a possible Russian invasion next month, Russia is raising confrontational rhetoric, demanding the withdrawal of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons stationed in NATO member countries.

Contrary to fears of an all-out war in the U.S., European countries are reportedly viewing the possibility of an actual Russian invasion of Ukraine as low. This is interpreted as an effort to minimize bilateral military tensions due to concerns that the battlefield could be on European soil if a full-scale war breaks out. There are also concerns that differences in joint responses to Russia with the U.S. will deepen further in the future.

On the 27th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited a senior U.S. Department of Defense official saying, "Russia is deploying medical units to the frontline with Ukraine, preparing for final war readiness." WSJ reported that sending medical units to the frontline is seen as an act anticipating casualties in the event of hostilities.

The U.S. government is reportedly viewing the possibility of war as high around mid-next month. Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, warned during a virtual session of the 'Yalta European Strategy Forum' held the day before, "While we do not know the final decision Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will make, all signs clearly indicate that Russia will use military force by mid-February."

U.S. President Joe Biden also reaffirmed his commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity on the same day. The White House stated in a press release, "President Biden had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today." The White House further emphasized, "No decisions about Ukraine will be made without Ukraine's inclusion," and "reiterated the U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." It also added, "An evacuation order was issued for families of diplomats stationed in Ukraine, but the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine will continue normal operations."

Russia, while drawing a line denying any possibility of invading Ukraine, shows no signs of withdrawing troops from the border area. Alexey Zaitsev, Deputy Director of the Information Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated at a regular briefing that "Russia has repeatedly stated that it has no plans to invade anyone," emphasizing again that there is no possibility of war.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to escalate confrontations with the West, demanding the withdrawal of tactical nuclear weapons installed by the U.S. in NATO member countries. Vladimir Yermakov, Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with TASS news agency, "We demanded the return of all U.S. nuclear weapons deployed in NATO countries as part of the security guarantees proposed to the U.S.," criticizing, "It is contradictory that more than 200 B61 tactical nuclear weapons are deployed in non-nuclear European countries, threatening Russia's security."

Amid escalating U.S.-Russia confrontations, European countries, where the likelihood of becoming a battlefield has increased, are reportedly claiming that the possibility of an all-out war is low, unlike the U.S. WSJ quoted German officials saying, "The U.S. believes President Putin will choose all-out war, but European countries think he is bluffing," and reported, "European diplomats generally analyze that Russia is focusing on hybrid warfare such as cyberwarfare and psychological warfare rather than full-scale war, which would cause heavy damage to itself, aiming to establish a pro-Russian regime in Ukraine through military pressure."