US Defense Secretary Lloyd Osti said that at the moment there is an opportunity to avoid a “tragic war” in the context of Ukraine, reports RIA News.
At a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, Austin stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has the ability to “avoid a full-scale tragic war of choice.” He also called for a diplomatic settlement of the situation. The Pentagon chief assessed the Russian leader’s February 21 speech as a “threat of war.”
“Recognition of the so-called LPR and DPR violates international law and Russia’s obligations,” Austin stressed.
The Pentagon chief added that the United States will continue to support Ukraine, its territorial integrity and sovereignty. This assistance is unwavering, he noted.
Related materials:
On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR and instructed the country’s Armed Forces to maintain peace in the republics. After that, a number of Western countries went to the introduction of new packages of sanctions against Moscow and criticized her for the decision.
Over the past few months, Kiev and Western countries have been accusing Russia of pulling troops to the borders of Ukraine and preparing a military offensive. Moscow has repeatedly denied the existence of such aggressive plans. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, NATO’s statements about the impending “invasion” are alarmist.
On February 20, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the situation on the line of contact in the Donbass was escalated to the maximum. “Any spark, any unplanned incident or any small planned provocation can lead to irreparable consequences,” he warned. Peskov also stressed that against such a background, the dates announced in the West about the alleged “invasion” of Russia in Ukraine threaten with bad consequences.
The situation in Donbass escalated in February. The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and Ukraine accused each other of violating the ceasefire and shelling settlements. In Kiev, they say they are not planning an offensive in the region.
#United #States #appreciated #possibility #avoiding #tragic #war #Ukraine