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CARL AZUZ: An Olympic sweep.
Friday just won straight gold for awesome.
I'm Carl Azuz.
Thank you for watching our Friday show.
We have different views today from different locations
in a standoff over Ukraine.
For weeks, the world's been wondering if Russia is planning
to invade this country.
Russia has built up a huge military force
surrounding Ukraine--
100,000 troops or more, according to estimates.
Russia borders Ukraine, and it hopes
to limit Western influence in that country.
As part of that, Russia wants a promise that Ukraine won't ever
join NATO, an alliance of European and North
American countries.
But NATO won't promise that, and Ukraine's government
wants to become a member of NATO,
so that's a major sticking point in the geopolitical tensions
hovering over this country.
As of Thursday evening, there is a lot of back and forth
about what was going to happen there.
Was Russia on the brink of an invasion?
Or was the country just hoping the appearance of one
would pressure NATO to make political changes.
Some experts have suggested that.
But here's what US President Joe Biden said yesterday.
JOE BIDEN: Every indication we have is they're
prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.
I sense is will happen in the next several days.
CARL AZUZ: The US government also
says Russia might be preparing to fake a reason to invade,
like it might make up news of a terrorist bombing inside Russia
to justify its plans to attack Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly said it has no plans to invade Ukraine.
It says, claims that it is are baseless
and rooted in hysteria incited by the United States.
Russia also says it's reduced the number of its troops
near Ukraine's border, but American officials
say Russia has actually added troops near that border.
It's hard to tell exactly what's going on there.
- A very public display.
Russia's ministry of defense posting video of armor leaving
Crimea across the Kerch Strait.
And it says, returning to their home bases.
Their participation in exercise said to be over.
A few hours later, another convoy of fuel trucks
filmed getting ready to leave Crimea as well, and then filmed
on that same bridge, also heading East, all part
of a choreographed effort by the Kremlin
in the ongoing information war over its intentions in Ukraine.
Russian diplomats across Europe scoff at Western claims
that an attack is imminent.
But both US officials and NATO officials,
including the Secretary General say, in fact, Russian troop
numbers are continuing to rise.
JENS STOLTENBERG: So just that we see movement of forces,
so battle tanks doesn't confirm a real withdrawal.
It has been a bit up and down, back and forth all the way,
but the trend of the last weeks and months
has been a steady increase in the Russian capabilities close
to Ukraine's borders.
- This is one of the videos issued Tuesday
by Russia's defense ministry on units,
beginning, it claims to go home.
Followed up on Wednesday with more footage of the tanks
loading onto trains--
destination unknown.
Back in Crimea, the much advertised pullout
involves units whose bases are, in any case,
around Russian cities, still close to Ukraine.
Analysts say it will take at least several days to establish
whether there is a true drawdown of Russian forces
from positions around Ukraine.
For now, the picture remains mixed.
There is plenty of Russian armor and air power
still within just a few miles of the Ukrainian border.
This, according to social media videos
uploaded in the past day.
Satellite images from earlier this week
show fighter bombers and helicopters arriving
at air bases close to Ukraine.
The joint exercises in Belarus continue as well,
though the Belarus defense minister insists
every piece of Russian equipment will leave
when those exercises are over.
All the while, a very public war of words
continues over Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO,
over the fate of the breakaway Eastern regions of Ukraine,
and over Russia's demands for cast iron security guarantees.
President Putin and Russian officials
repeat that Ukraine's desire to join NATO
must be off the table.
That, however, is a non-starter for the US.
So far, the path to diplomacy and much of the weaponry
seemed frozen in place.
CARL AZUZ: American officials say, in a way,
they'll be relieved if they're wrong.
That while US intelligence indicates
Russia is about to invade, some critics
have questioned that intelligence
and the American government says it would ultimately
be a good thing if Russia changes course
and pulls back from Ukraine.
The United States and its NATO allies
have threatened severe economic punishments if Russia invades.
And as you're about to see, more US
troops and military equipment have arrived in Eastern Europe.
President Biden has repeatedly said that US troops will not
fight in Ukraine, that they won't battle Russian forces
on the ground there.
But several of the countries that border Ukraine
are members of NATO, so the American presence in the region
is meant to send a message to Russia
and to reassure NATO countries that America has their back.
NICK PATON WALSH: They don't really want you to see this,
but it's hard to hide.
These are US troops landing near the Polish border
with Ukraine--
high-end Blackhawks, C-17 cargo planes dozens in the past days.
Media haven't been given official access,
but they're pretty hard to miss.
Trucks, pallets, signs these 82nd Airborne from Fort Bragg
are not here an hour's drive from Ukraine just overnight.
They even came this day with a Cessna light aircraft which
seems to be innocently carrying top brass who
get on to a nearby helicopter.
Moscow may point to these scenes as NATO massing troops
on Ukraine's border, but these are here with the approval
of Poland, a NATO member.
In a standoff, that's all about messaging
these American troops are about ensuring the US
allies feel their presence.
The unit we saw decamped to a nearby conference center.
They're here, just in case, to help stranded Americans
in Ukraine if the need arises.
These sort of movements in NATO war games and drills
have been practiced for years.
They don't really want us to see this,
the larger base where they are.
Are the Americans over here?
This is their main base, yes?
- We can't talk about it.
NICK PATON WALSH: I understand.
Can we talk to somebody about this or--
- No.
NICK PATON WALSH: They walk right by us.
Come on-- don't be afraid.
It's all right.
And the size of the operation-- these are a lot
of tents over a wide area--
is both what you might expect to support that many soldiers,
but also something that is almost definitely not for show
and portrays a lot of readiness even if you
hope they all stay bored and cold under canvas
in the weeks ahead.
CARL AZUZ: 10-second trivia.
Which of these world capitals is located the farthest north--
Ottawa, Moscow, Stockholm, or Oslo?
The Norwegian capital of Oslo is just a bit farther
north than Stockholm, Sweden.
Lost and found at sea.
Students at New Hampshire's Rye Junior High School
launched a mini boat in October of 2020.
It had leaves, quarters, and a face mask inside,
kind of like a 21st century message in a bottle.
The school followed it through GPS until the tracker
apparently gave out last fall.
But then, in late January, a ping.
The boat indicated it was on an island in Norway.
A sixth grader there helped retrieve the damaged vessel.
And now, two schools are connected through a boat's
transatlantic trip.
It's a keely good boatcome, considering, in mast cases,
a vessel with missing ports faces an uphole battle when
weather warnings are stern, sails
hit the deck, waves and skies boom, all rope is lost.
If it's not trimmed something, it's
a rudder, which is why people wave around that phrase,
whatever floats your boat.
I'm Carl Azuz.
Today's shout out takes us to Wellington, Florida.
It is great to see the students of Palm Beach
Central High School watching.
Thank you for doing that.
We will be off the air Monday for the President's Day
holiday, so we hope to see you right back
here on the 22nd for more CNN.
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