Kremlin Spokesman -Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia will respond if NATO forces are seen in Ukraine
Russia has warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against deploying troops to Ukraine, as it would lead to escalated tensions at its borders.
This came after NATO raised concerns over a large build-up of Russian Military near Eastern Ukraine. The Brussels based NATO is an is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 European and North American countries. The organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on April 4, 1949. NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, there have been tensions between Ukraine’s troops and pro-Russian separatists in Donbass, a region in Eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in the firing so far. Last week, 4 Ukraine soldiers were killed by Russian forces in Donbass.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – Ruslan Khomchak has said that Russia’s armed aggression in the Donbass is a major threat to Ukraine and all its NATO allies.
Addressing the media today, i.e., Friday, April 2, 2021, Kremlin Spokesman – Dmitry Peskov said that the contact line in Eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian Government forces and Russian-backed separatist forces was concerning. He warned that Russia will respond if NATO forces are seen in Ukraine. At the same time, he said that Russia is not threatening Ukraine.
Peskov also said Russia would be forced to respond if NATO troops were deployed to Ukraine as he insisted Russia was not threatening Ukraine.
Peskov said, “There is no doubt such a scenario would lead to a further increase in tensions close to Russia’s borders. Of course, this would call for additional measures from the Russian side to ensure its security.”
Taking it to twitter, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine – Dmytro Kuleba tweeted,
Russia’s actions have brought the situation to a dead end. The only way out: diplomacy. Calm, measured steps needed. Moscow must cease escalating military tensions, immediately & unconditionally recommit to political-diplomatic solution & ceasefire. Full: https://t.co/XENZhK90gm
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 1, 2021
Meanwhile, the United States (U.S.) Secretary of State – Antony Blinken has assured the Foreign Minister of Ukraine – Dmytro Kuleba of U.S.’s support to Ukraine.
Sharing his views on twitter, Blinken tweeted,
Pleased to speak with @DmytroKuleba today to discuss the United States unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We continue to support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 1, 2021
Separately, the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also accused Russia on killing 20 Ukrainian Servicemen since the start of 2021. As per the military intelligence of Ukraine, Russia is trying to expand its military presence in the separatist-controlled regions. Kremlin has always denied sending troops and arms to the region.
Besides, the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin, had a video conferencing call with Chancellor of Germany – Angela Merkel and President of France – Emmanuel Macron expressed concerns over the provocations by Ukraine.
