[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Ukrainian government requested a security meeting with Russia within 48 hours, but it is reported that Russia did not accept the request. As negotiations between the United States, the West, and Russia continue without a diplomatic solution emerging, Ukraine’s war crisis has escalated, leading to direct negotiations. While denying the possibility of invading Ukraine, Russia is reportedly continuing to reinforce its military forces near the border.
On the 13th (local time), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated in a press release, "We requested a security meeting with Russia within 48 hours, but Russia ignored it," and emphasized, "Russia, as a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), must implement the Vienna Document, which commits member states to reducing tensions and ensuring transparency on security issues." The OSCE is a security organization involving 57 countries, including the United States and Russia, with its permanent council located in Vienna, Austria.
Minister Kuleba added, "Russia is currently conducting military operations under the pretext of the necessity to secure its own safety, but it has not properly explained the reasons for reinforcing troops near the border," and stressed, "We are requesting another meeting within 48 hours to ensure transparency regarding Russia’s reasons for troop reinforcement and its future plans."
Earlier, on the 11th, the Ukrainian government requested a security meeting with Russia within 48 hours. The emphasis on 48 hours is interpreted as highlighting the U.S. government’s earlier urging of its citizens residing in Ukraine to evacuate within 48 hours. According to the British BBC, as the war crisis in Ukraine escalates, 12 countries including the United States have already ordered their citizens to leave Ukraine, and the U.S. government is reportedly preparing to withdraw all personnel from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, within 48 hours.
However, Russia continues to deny any intention to invade Ukraine. According to CNN, the Kremlin held a press briefing on the 12th after a phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, "The U.S. call based on Western hysteria is absurd," and rebutted, "The U.S. has not considered key points regarding Russia’s security demands, and the truth is that the U.S., along with its allies, is militarily supporting Ukraine."
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