German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a news conference with President of Mongolia Elbegdorj Tsakhia after a meeting in Berlin, Tuesday, March 3, 2015.
US officials regularly claim ceasefire violations in Ukraine, and Russian invasions that “no one questions.” Though such allegations have long gotten a pass in the US media, the German government is expressing increased annoyance over what it is calling “dangerous propaganda” meant to sabotage the ceasefire.
The US claims, officials say, are often wildly inaccurate or unconfirmed. When US officials were hyping “40,000” Russian troops at the border and an imminent invasion, EU intelligence showed only 20,000 troops, and that no invasion was likely.
More recent claims of 50-plus Russian tanks crossing the border were similarly untrue, with European officials say the only evidence was for a handful of ramshackle armored vehicles crossing the border, and likely not military in origin.
US officials downplayed the disagreement, saying that “precise numbers” weren’t relevant, and that there is “no doubt” Russia is supporting the rebels. This may finally be the explanation, however, for how US claims of huge Russian military presences never come with any pictures of any Russian troops.