Ukraine crisis: Putin says Russia does not want war

Synopsis

Tensions escalate in eastern Ukraine as Russia announces a partial troop withdrawal while maintaining over 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders. U.S. and European intelligence agencies warn of a potential military strike, with the Pentagon indicating that eastern Ukraine is nearly surrounded. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasizes that repositioning troops does not equate to de-escalation. Former National Security Council director Thomas Graham suggests a 20 to 25-year moratorium on NATO's eastward expansion as a potential resolution. The military buildup marks the most significant since the Cold War, raising alarms about an imminent attack.