Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that a Western information campaign against Russia could eventually lead to a war in the Donbass. According to him, these provocations can push Kiev to try to return by force the territories not controlled by Ukraine. Lavrov also noted that Russia does not agree with the US response to Moscow's proposed security guarantees in Europe. Lavrov, in a conversation with Blinken, noted that the United States and its allies are pushing Kiev to escalate the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“The minister emphasized that the propaganda campaign launched by the United States and its allies about the“ Russian aggression ”against Ukraine pursues provocative goals, encouraging the authorities in Kiev to sabotage the Minsk agreements and harmful attempts to resolve the“ Donbass problem ”, stressed the Foreign Ministry./ i
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the accusations of the United States in the preparation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine a provocation
In addition, Lavrov pointed out that the United States did not agree to implement the key provisions of the security guarantees offered by Russia. First of all, we are talking about Moscow's request not to expand NATO further to the east and not to deploy strike weapons near Russian borders.
“It was emphasized that these issues will take center stage in our assessment of the documents received from the US and NATO, which will be brought to the attention of colleagues,” the Foreign Ministry concluded.
The minister recalled the inadmissibility of actions that violate the commitments made at the highest level on the indivisibility of security in the Euro-Atlantic area.
The heads of the foreign ministries also touched upon topical issues of bilateral relations.
The State Department, in turn, said that Blinken discussed with Lavrov "acute and general concerns that Russia may consider the possibility of new military aggression against Ukraine in the coming days."
“He [Blinken] reiterated that if Moscow takes the path of aggression and continues to invade Ukraine, this will lead to a decisive, massive and unified transatlantic response,” the State Department said.
Blinken noted that Washington is ready to resolve the crisis through diplomacy. “But this will require Moscow to de-escalate and discuss in good faith,” the State Department concluded.
Politico, citing United States officials, previously reported that US President Joe Biden expects Russia to attack Ukraine on Feb. 16. The American leader allegedly stated this during a video conference with the leaders of Western countries, the European Union and NATO. He also warned that before the invasion, Russia could conduct a series of missile strikes and cyberattacks. According to the publication, the Europeans were skeptical about American intelligence.
“The Europeans have signaled that they have a different picture. A British official said the UK has a "different interpretation" of the February 16 intelligence," the publication said.
On February 12, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that “too much information” about the allegedly possible Russian aggression is now being circulated in the information field. The Ukrainian leader asked to provide Kiev with evidence of such rumors, if any.
“If you or some people have additional information about a 100% invasion of Ukraine from the 16th [February] of the Russian Federation, please give us such information,” Zelensky said.
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