Ukraine does not foresee large-scale offensive by Russia on Feb. 16

By Talha Yavuz

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) - Ukraine does not foresee Russia launching a large-scale attack on the country, the secretary of the National Defense and Security Council said Monday.

Oleksiy Danilov told the Ukrainian press that they are aware of developments and risks on their territory.

Stressing that the situation is completely under control, Danilov said they do not foresee a large-scale attack from Russia on Feb. 16 or 17.

However, he stressed that Ukraine is also prepared for any kind of attack, noting that the Russian side may carry out provocations.

US President Joe Biden had earlier informed the leaders of Western countries that Russia could attack Ukraine on Feb. 16.

Ukraine has been plagued by conflict in its eastern regions since March 2014 following Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea.

Moscow recently amassed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine, prompting fears that the Kremlin could be planning another military offensive against its former Soviet neighbor.

Russia has denied that it is preparing to invade and accused Western countries of undermining its security by NATO’s expansion toward its borders.

The Kremlin also issued a list of security demands to the West, including a rollback of troop deployments from some ex-Soviet states and guarantees that Ukraine and Georgia would not join NATO.

*Writing by Merve Berker