I can’t remember the exact timing, but the UK and US governments/intelligence services were giving briefings to the press to the effect “Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine. They must back down.” The earliest I have found is from November 2021, but I think it was covered before then. Not sure when they first said anything, presumably they knew before they said and they suspected before they knew.
I think that their was still a chance of buying peace with concessions until the day the tanks rolled. Russia asked for Nato to promise to never admit Ukraine. I believe they also made some other demands. Its not either/or when it comes to sabre rattling or genuine preparation to invade. An actually prepared invasion seems like a good threat to take into a negotiation. And if they still don’t give you what you want you have this lovely invasion all ready to go. (Although less ready than they thought.)
Russia asked for Nato to promise to never admit Ukraine. I believe they also made some other demands.
Russia also made other demands, it’s just that it’s much easier in Western media to talk about that demand regarding NATO than complicated issues like all the points in the Minsk agreements and Crimean water rights.
I can’t remember the exact timing, but the UK and US governments/intelligence services were giving briefings to the press to the effect “Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine. They must back down.” The earliest I have found is from November 2021, but I think it was covered before then. Not sure when they first said anything, presumably they knew before they said and they suspected before they knew.
I think that their was still a chance of buying peace with concessions until the day the tanks rolled. Russia asked for Nato to promise to never admit Ukraine. I believe they also made some other demands. Its not either/or when it comes to sabre rattling or genuine preparation to invade. An actually prepared invasion seems like a good threat to take into a negotiation. And if they still don’t give you what you want you have this lovely invasion all ready to go. (Although less ready than they thought.)
Russia also made other demands, it’s just that it’s much easier in Western media to talk about that demand regarding NATO than complicated issues like all the points in the Minsk agreements and Crimean water rights.