NATO does not believe Russia will reduce military operations

(Patria) - NATO does not believe Russian announcements that it will reduce military operations around Kyiv and has data that it is not a withdrawal, but a regrouping, said the Alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Russians have repeatedly lied before and we do not believe words, only deeds," Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels.

He emphasized that NATO has intelligence data according to which Russian units are not withdrawing, but regrouping, replenishing supplies and strengthening the offensive in the Donbas region.

"At the same time, Russia is maintaining pressure on Kyiv and other cities, and we expect new attacks that will bring even more suffering," said the NATO Secretary General.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree today according to which 134,000 new soldiers will be recruited into the Russian army in the spring. Although Russia has been carrying out aggression against Ukraine for more than a month, their Ministry of Defense has stated that the call-up for the army has nothing to do with the current conflict.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that new recruits will not be sent to hotspots.

"The majority of military personnel in training centers will undergo professional training lasting from three to five months. I emphasize, recruits will not be sent to the combat zone," Shoigu said.