Ukraine-Russia: Can a new war be avoided? - BBC Newsnight
23,346 views • Jan 22, 2022 • As talks continue between the UK and Russia, are we heading towards dialogue and de-escalation or is war in Ukraine inevitable? Please subscribe HERE
bit.ly/1rbfUogRussia's foreign minister and his US counterpart have held what they called "frank" talks to try to reduce the chance of a wider conflict in Ukraine.
Sergei Lavrov repeated denials that a huge Russian force assembled near Ukraine's borders would be used to invade Ukraine.
Antony Blinken said America would respond severely to any invasion.
Pro-Russian rebels control large parts of eastern Ukraine since a ferocious war erupted nearly eight years ago.
Some 14,000 people were killed and at least two million fled their homes before fragile peace agreements were brokered.
The US and its allies have threatened new sanctions if the Russian military takes action.
Carrie Davies, BBC correspondent in Moscow
In Russia, state-run newspapers and media outlets blame the West for aggression, mirroring the Kremlin's language.
While the defence alliance, Nato, and the US warn of an imminent invasion, many people are still unconvinced that war will happen or that it would be to Russia's advantage.
In central Moscow, some think that the threat has been exaggerated by the West.
"Every year, according to them, Russia plans to invade Ukraine," said 24-year-old Andrei.
"Meanwhile, we all sit here and listen to the news with eyes wide open and think: 'Really? Again? Weren't we supposed to invade last year?' I think the West is just using this issue for their own interests."
Olga was adamant that America was to blame for the tension and didn't see the need for war.
"What do we need Ukraine for? Leave them alone. I could understand it, to produce goods, if we had a need for more markets, more fields, but we have so much space here. We have access to the seaside. So what is it all for?"
America's proposed sanctions worry some, like Alexei.
"The rouble (Russia's currency) will fall and people will have it really bad. So this must be avoided. It is not people's fault, but it will be ordinary people who will be hit," he said.
Analysts, journalists and politicians are still arguing about what President Vladimir Putin's long-term intentions really are.
But many in Russia would be taken by surprise if war was to start soon.