Russia-Ukraine tensions center stage at Munich Security Conference

Annie Andersen: WORLD LEADERS INCLUDING VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS are IN GERMANY FOR AN ANNUAL SECURITY CONFERENCE.

TAKE SOT- Kamala Harris

<<”I am here to ensure that through our discussions and the discussions that we have with other of our allies that we continue as the hours and the days progress to stay in close contact.”>>

Annie Andersen: AND WHILE THE AGENDA IS JAM-PACKED,

 MUCH ATTENTION IS ON THE TENSION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE.

ESPECIALLY WITH NEW REPORTS RUSSIA IS MOBILIZING ITS NUCLEAR FORCES.

TAKE SOT- Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister

<<“There’s a new war impending right in the middle of Europe, Russia issues and absolutely unacceptable threat with their troops build up.”>>

Annie Andersen: IN ADDITION TO the vice president, SECRETARY OF STATEANTONY BLINKEN, SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI, AND QUITE A FEW members of both houses of congress are in Munich to attend.

FRIDAY MORNING … GLOBAL NEWS AGENCY INTERFAX REPORTING.. THE RUSSIAN MILITARY SAYS ITS NUCLEAR FORCES WILL BEGIN AN EXERCISE OVER THE WEEKEND..

SAYING IT WILL INCLUDE MULTIPLE MISSILE LAUNCHES.. AND PUTIN WILL BE OVERSEEING THEM.

IT WAS ALREADY SCHEDULED.. BUT NOW IT’S A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

TAKE SOT- LLOYD AUSTIN

<<“Any Russian attack or further incursion into Ukraine would not only ignite conflict, you would also violate the bedrock principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and self determination.”>>

Annie Andersen: BUT SECURITY EXPERTS ARE HOPEFUL AN UPCOMING MEETING BETWEEN BLINKEN AND RUSSIA’S FOREIGN DEFENSE MINISTER WILL KEEP AN INVASION FROM HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT TOLD RUSSIA THAT MEETING IS OFF THE TABLE IF RUSSIA INVADES…

AND THEIR HOPE IS THAT IF THEY KEEP PUTIN TALKING… THE INVASION WON’T HAPPEN.

Take sot- Antony blinken

<<“we are doing everything we possibly can, to make clear that there’s a diplomatic path that this has to be resolved. The differences have to be resolved through dialogue, through diplomacy.”>>

Annie Andersen: FOR A SECOND DAY NOW.. INTENSE SHELLING IN EASTERN UKRAINE.. IN AN AREA WITH RUSSIAN BACKED SEPARATISTS. INTELLIGENCE SUGGESTS THEY ARE BEHIND THE BOMBINGS…

BUT RUSSIAN OFFICIALS ARE SAYING UKRAINE IS TO BLAME.

TAKE SOT- ANTONY BLINKEN-2/18/22

<<”everything that we’re seeing, including what you’ve described in the last 24/48 hours, is part of a scenario that is already in play of creating false provocations of then having to respond to those provocations and then ultimately committing new aggression against Ukraine”>>.

Annie Andersen: BLINKEN HAS TAKE THE STRATEGY OF LAYING HIS CARDS ON THE TABLE… AND PUBLICLY ANNOUNCING INTELLIGENCE ABOUT  WHAT RUSSIA IS UP TO.

TAKE SOT- ANTONY BLINKEN

<<“I think it’s very important for us to shine a light on what we see.Perhaps that will move Russia to a different path.”>>

Annie Andersen: BUT AS RUSSIAN FORCES CONTINUE TO GROW.. THE FEAR IS THEY WILL ATTACK.

TAKE SOT- Joe BIDEN

<<”My senses will happen in the next couple days”>>

Annie Andersen: WE’VE BEEN HEARING THAT FOR A WHILE NOW. THE NEW YORK TIMES IS REPORTING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION KNOWS ITS HURTING CREDIBILITY… BUT IT’S SOMETHING THEY ARE WILLING TO DO IF IT KEEPS RUSSIA FROM ATTACKING.

[STRAIGHT FROM DC I’M AA