French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned on Monday that Russia has “all the elements” to launch a “major offensive” against Ukraine after Moscow mustered thousands of soldiers on its border.

“Does the Russian army have all the elements for a major offensive in Ukraine? Yes, there is, it is possible, it will be possible soon,” Le Drian told France 5 television.

But he added that there was no indication that Moscow had yet to make a decision.

“There are still diplomatic solutions (possible), yes, that’s for sure,” Le Drian said.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet German Chancellor Olaf Schultz, the latest Western leader to travel to Moscow for a diplomatic breakthrough.

The United States has warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent, and their Western allies have threatened to respond with a package of economic sanctions.

“The military situation is escalating and unsustainable,” Le Drian said. “De-escalation is urgently needed.

“Putin wants to prevent Ukraine’s sovereignty … [If] Ukraine’s sovereignty or integrity is challenged by major Russian intervention, then there will be huge consequences, massive sanctions.”

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday announced the end of some of Moscow’s large-scale military exercises in Russia and Belarus, but said others were still ongoing.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Putin that there was “an opportunity” to strike a security deal with the West.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times