China and Russia UNITING to test Biden: Putin and Xi seeing how US responds Marco Giannangeli, Defence Editor
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With China sending record numbers of fighter jets to invade Taiwanese air space, the West breathed a sigh at Vladimir Putin s decision last week to dismantle the build-up of Russian forces along Ukraine s borders. The possibility of a second front on the Ukrainian border has been shelved, at least for now. But the US and EU should resist the urge to pat themselves on the back, experts warned.
Firstly, Russia is not rolling back all of its troops. Both its 56th air assault regiment, around 2,800 troops, and the much bigger elements of the 41st Combined Arms Army will mean in Crimea, bolstering Russia s military pressure on Ukraine.
Updated: Apr 15 2021, 14:47 ET
VLADIMIR Putin is threatening to invade Ukraine to humiliate Joe Biden after his killer jibe as he looks to reassert Russia s superpower status, an expert says.
Fears are growing of an all-out war seven years after Russia ruthlessly annexed Crimea in the east of the country using militia groups.
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Russia is amassing troops and tanks on its border with UkraineCredit: Alamy
Putin has already gathered 80,000 troops in the region with another 30,000 soldiers set to be deployed.
However, Dr Jade McGlynn, Director of Research at the Henry Jackson Society, says Putin is trying to test the new US President while also fostering anti-western sentiment ahead of elections in September.