It seems only in the case of Russia that Western leaders presume to lecture a large sovereign country on where it can station its troops within its own borders. It's primarily these "concerns" over a Russia troop build-up near Ukraine that's now driving the new emerging crisis following an uptick in renewed clashes in the eastern Donbas region.
On Thursday's German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded that Russia immediately reduce its troops presence near the Ukrainian border, according to a German government statement. Merkel conveyed the demand in a phone call with Vladimir Putin.
"Among other things, the conversation was about the strengthened Russian military presence in the environs of East Ukraine," the statement read. "The Chancellor demanded that this build-up be unwound in order to de-escalate the situation."
The Kremlin meanwhile says its troops are responding to a Ukrainian military build-up and provocative actions in the mainly Russian-speaking Donbass:
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of provocative action in eastern Ukraine that was inflaming the situation there during a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
In a readout of the call, the Kremlin said that both sides had voiced concerns about the situation in eastern Ukraine.
Also on Thursday Kiev announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will personally visit the eastern frontline where clashes with separatists are raging.
#BREAKING German Chancellor Merkel urged President Putin to reduce Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine border, her office says pic.twitter.com/3nDpb9dbg8
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 8, 2021
This symbolism alone is likely...