https://sputnikglobe.com/20211231/nato-is-transforming-ukraine-into-military-foothold-against-russia-lavrov-tells-sputnik-1091937563.html
NATO is Transforming Ukraine Into Military Foothold Against Russia, Lavrov Tells Sputnik
NATO is Transforming Ukraine Into Military Foothold Against Russia, Lavrov Tells Sputnik
Sputnik International
The Russian foreign minister has criticised the alliance for backing Kiev's militaristic aspirations and stressed that there will be an "adequate response" to any possible military provocations carried out by Ukraine.
2021-12-31T07:37+0000
2021-12-31T07:37+0000
2021-12-31T08:38+0000
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sergey lavrov
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told Sputnik that NATO is trying to use Kiev as a tool against Russia.He noted that the number of troops participating in drills in Ukraine will double in 2022 and reach 64,000.The minister also said that the Ukrainian government has no intention of ending a military conflict with the self-proclaimed republics that has been plaguing the country since 2014. According to him, the Ukrainian authorities consider support from NATO "as carte blanche for a military operation". The minister added that there will be an "adequate response" to any possible military provocations from Kiev.The tensions between Moscow and Kiev previously resulted in media reports claiming that Russia is planning to "invade" Ukraine, which the Kremlin blasted as "alarmism". Russia stressed it can relocate its troops within its own territory, while NATO's military activity near the country's borders poses a threat to its security.At the same time, Moscow came forward with security guarantee proposals, in a bid to stop the deterioration of ties. On 17 December, Russia released draft agreements, which include mutual security guarantees in Europe, non-deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles within reach of each other's territory, and NATO's non-expansion eastward.It is expected that the proposals will be discussed during Russia-US talks in Geneva, scheduled on 10 January, as well as during the Russia-NATO Council on 12 January.
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russia, ukraine, us-russia relations, nato expansion, nato transforming ukraine into military foothold against russia
russia, ukraine, us-russia relations, nato expansion, nato transforming ukraine into military foothold against russia
NATO is Transforming Ukraine Into Military Foothold Against Russia, Lavrov Tells Sputnik
07:37 GMT 31.12.2021 (Updated: 08:38 GMT 31.12.2021) The Russian foreign minister criticised the alliance for backing Kiev's militaristic aspirations and stressed that there will be an "adequate response" to any possible military provocations carried out by Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told Sputnik that NATO is trying to use Kiev as a tool against Russia.
"NATO member states are systematically transforming Ukraine into a military foothold against Russia, building their bases there, using its territory to conduct exercises. If this year there were seven such manoeuvres, then in the coming year, according to a law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada [the parliament] of Ukraine, 10 [drills are planned], including one year-round [exercise]", Lavrov said.
He noted that the number of troops
participating in drills in Ukraine will double in 2022 and reach 64,000.
The minister also said that the Ukrainian government has no intention of ending a military conflict with the self-proclaimed republics that has been plaguing the country since 2014.
"The civil war, which has been going on for the eighth year in Ukraine, is far from over. The country's authorities are not going to take steps to resolve the conflict in Donbass on the uncontested basis of the Minsk Package of Measures", Lavrov said.
According to him, the Ukrainian authorities consider
support from NATO "as carte blanche for a military operation".
"As for the residents of Donbass, where hundreds of thousands of citizens of our country live, Russia will take all the necessary measures to protect them. We will continue to make efforts to resolve the internal Ukrainian conflict by political and diplomatic means", Lavrov said.
The minister added that there will be an "adequate response" to any possible military provocations from Kiev.
The tensions between Moscow and Kiev previously resulted in media reports claiming that Russia is planning to "invade" Ukraine, which the Kremlin blasted as "alarmism". Russia stressed it can relocate its troops within its own territory, while
NATO's military activity near the country's borders poses a threat to its security.
At the same time, Moscow came forward with security guarantee proposals, in a bid to stop the deterioration of ties. On 17 December, Russia released draft agreements, which include mutual security guarantees in Europe, non-deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles within reach of each other's territory, and NATO's non-expansion eastward.
It is expected that the proposals will be discussed during
Russia-US talks in Geneva, scheduled on 10 January, as well as during the Russia-NATO Council on 12 January.
