Russia continues to make overt displays of force in the region with military drills. However, Charlie D’Agata, a senior foreign correspondent at CBS News, reported that there was a noticeable shift in the tone Tuesday morning.
Russia is focusing more on diplomacy and making big deals about pulling back what may only be a few tanks or troops from Ukraine’s border.
The conflicting information in the city where the U.S. Embassy has relocated all of its operations and staff to, painted a confusing picture. According to the State Department, the temporary move from capital Kyiv into the western city Lviv was caused by ongoing Russian forces building up at the border.
A U.S. official informed CBS News that Russia had moved long-range artillery and rocket launchers into firing positions near Ukraine’s border. According to CBS News, a Russian official said that Russia had moved long-range artillery and rocket launchers into firing positions close to Ukraine’s border. Satellite images have shown ground troops moving towards combat positions from staging areas, with newly deployed Russian bombers.
The Russian Ministry of Defense posted video Tuesday showing the pulling back of some tanks. After the conclusion of military exercises in the border area, it claimed that troops were being withdrawn.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that there was reason for “cautious optimism” Tuesday, but that the alliance hadn’t yet seen any signs deescalation on ground. He said that Russia was still poised to attack Ukraine, as NATO views it.
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, also accused Russia sending “mixed messages.” He welcomed what he called “signs for a diplomatic opening” but warned that the most recent intelligence was “still very encouraging.”
Johnson stated that Russian forces were building field hospital near Ukraine’s border, and that more battalions were moving closer. Johnson stated that this was “only to be understood as preparation for an invasion.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continued. As Russia insists that it wants to continue negotiating, Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Tuesday.
Heath Morrison, an American IT executive, decided to move his family to Lviv amid the uncertainty.
D’Agata was told by D’Agata that he didn’t feel any anxiety at all and added that he worried a lot about Ukraine, but not his safety.
Morrison stated that his family, especially his six-year old son, were seriously considered by Morrison as he was “certainly concerned about his exposure to chaos” or any similar.
He said that they have been paying close attention to the news and current events over the past few months and decided to leave when major international organizations began to withdraw people from the capital of Ukraine.
It’s possible that there will be a mass exodus from Ukraine of Americans and they’ll move to Lviv. It is believed that the vibrant city in Ukraine’s west is safer than other parts.
Lviv is only an hour drive from the Polish border. The U.S. has military personnel stationed in Poland, which is not Ukraine but is a NATO member.
D’Agata with his team visited the border. They found a line of tractor-trailers along with a few cars that crossed it.
Also, it is still quiet at the western front.