MOSCOW (Sputnik) — NATO is unable to provide any evidence supporting its allegations of Russian troop involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov said Thursday.
“They have no proof,” Meshkov told RIA Novosti, adding, “Such claims are made not by unbridled politicians, but by the heads of the organization, which a priori, should make clear reliable statements, rather than be a propaganda mouthpiece.”
Meshkov said that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg did not raise this issue during recent talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Munich.
“To raise this question, one has to have some specific data. During all the past year, NATO presented us with no specific information,” he said.
Since the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis in April 2014, NATO has repeatedly blamed Russia for sending troops to Ukraine and supporting eastern Ukrainian militia. However, leaders of the alliance have failed to provide evidence to support their statements when asked to do so.
In April, NATO ended all practical cooperation with Russia over Ukraine, only maintaining contacts at ambassadorial and higher levels.
