It is Russia, Zelenskyy said Thursday — through its 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and continued military support for separatists in Ukraine’s east — that has pushed the country toward NATO. More than a dozen NATO countries have military advisers in Ukraine, including 150 from the U.S. Special Forces and National Guard. “NATO’s support for Ukraine is not a threat to Russia,” Stoltenberg said Thursday. And a decision on whether Ukraine can join NATO will be taken by Ukraine and 30 NATO allies alone.”In the face of such refusals, the statements of Russia’s leadership have become increasingly bellicose. While Putin has given no indication of whether he will order new military action in Ukraine, the Russian military buildup is continuing.

Source: New York Times December 17, 2021 08:03 UTC