Russia warns as US intervenes deeply in conflict in Ukraine
Russia is trying to make the United States understand that Washington's deepening involvement in the conflict in Ukraine could increase risks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on November 29.
Moscow has repeatedly said that Western military support for Ukraine is prolonging the conflict and raising the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the West.
"We are sending signals to the United States that its escalatory behavior and further intervention in the conflict could have serious consequences. These risks are growing," Interfax news agency quoted Mr. Ryabkov as saying.
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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Photo: Reuters |
Previously, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also stated that if NATO begins to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems, they will immediately become legitimate targets of the Russian military.
Meanwhile, Kiev and the West blame Russia for escalating tensions after Moscow launched a military operation in Ukraine in late February.
Ryabkov said Washington and Moscow were not holding talks but were “sending signals periodically.” The Russian diplomat also said there had been no contact via the military hotline between Russia and the United States, which was set up during the military operation in Ukraine. However, a US official told Reuters earlier on November 29 that the special “deconfliction” hotline between Russia and the United States had been used once since the conflict began.
"I don't know if any channels for conflict resolution are being used regarding the conflict in Ukraine. We do not have a dialogue with the US on the Ukraine issue because our positions are very different," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said./.
