Russia says “no plans” to invade Ukraine as more troops sent to border - BBC News

“We have no plans to invade” - that was the message from Russia's foreign minister after talks with the US about Russian intentions in Ukraine. His American counterpart said their discussions in Geneva had been "frank and substantive" but also warned of "massive consequences" if Moscow were to attack Ukraine.

Russia has amassed 100,000 troops near its borders with Ukraine. It's led to the western alliance, Nato, reinforcing its military presence in eastern Europe. President Putin has demanded that Ukraine be stopped from ever joining Nato.  
 
During the Cold War the Soviet Union controlled most of eastern Europe,  with the NATO alliance, which includes the US and the UK, ranged against it.
 
But with the collapse of the Soviet Union Russia lost control of those eastern European countries, and since then NATO has expanded eastwards, to Russia's borders.  

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by James Landale in Geneva and Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.

#BBCNews

[StevenOBrien]

It would be nice if Russia was a bit more clear on which date they plan to not invade, so that Ukrainians will know when to not prepare, and perhaps know when to not flee to safety.

[amo_res]

Reminds me of Britain and France, willing to declare war if Germany invades Poland, which Germany said “They won’t”

[SgtCake]

Imagine being a Ukrainian, and as we speak 2 other countries are deciding your future, without you even being invited at that table

[President-JonSnow.Malkowich]

Germany says “No plans to invade Poland” as foreign minister signs non-aggression pact with the Russian Federation.

[oldman]

US: "It will be met with swift action."
Russia: Invades anyways
US: "That's it, you lose your Coco-cola privileges."

[badwolf]

Russia: We are not invading Ukraine! *Proceeds to send more equipment and troops to the border*

[rachelharrison-gonzalez]

Can you imagine if Russia was actually being honest and instead of invading Ukraine they suddenly annex Belarus and officially make it a part of Russia. That would be crazy.

[ezgoing]

You really think they’re going to say, “Yes! We will invade.” You don’t tell your enemies what you plan on doing obviously 🙄

[bits_for_bytes]

No plans, “accidental” invasions are the worst!

[MrStumpson]

Reminds me of playing civilization, "Why are your troops on our borders!?" "Just passing through..."

[patrikricci]

I love how all these talks and summits about the future of independent Ukraine are being done WITHOUT Ukraine 😂

[gladtownghost]

They can just invade then apologise and say they didn't realise it was illegal.

[jkfdkjjd]

"We are not going to invade" "Say you won't defend Ukraine or we are going to invade"

[joaopereira]

"our troops are merely passing by"

[muzak]

this should show us: dont trust a thing that comes out of russia or putin's mouth, period

[CrazySwiftGamer]

Remember when Ukraine gave up their nukes to Russia in return that they would garantee their independence?

Who would've thought.

[jamespark]

I use this in civ 5 as a tactic everytime, just move all troops to border and deny all forms of aggression to neighbors 🤣glad to see it as a legit tactic haha

[BCpov]

I say the same thing when I’m playing Civilization.

[erenyaeger]

Putin be like: "We don't invade, we take over!!!"

[captainstag]

Lol this is like 1939 all over again
Germany: we won't invade the rest of Czechoslovakia
Also Germany: proceed to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia