The U.S. State Department believes that reports on the movement of the Russian military on the border with Ukraine are credible and asked Moscow to explain ‘provocations’. Reuters reported that, citing State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.
“We’ve asked Russia for an explanation of these provocations. But more importantly, what we have signaled with our Ukrainian partners is a message of reassurance,” he reported.
Price underlined that the U.S. will be concerned by any efforts of Moscow to intimidate Ukraine whether it occurred on Russian territory or within Ukraine.
Later, the U.S. State Department Spokesperson reported to Reuters that the U.S. is “open to engagement with Moscow” due to the situation.
“We call on Russia to refrain from escalatory actions,” Price said.
It is reported that the build-up of the Russian forces and movement at the border with the east of Ukraine became the last tension point in cold American-Russian relations less than three months after U.S. President Joe Biden took office.
On March 26, four servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine died as a result of shelling by illegal armed groups in the Donetsk region. Two others were injured.
As we reported, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden expressed concern about ‘the escalation of the Russian aggression' in Donbas, where Ukrainian forces fight against militants backed by Russia since 2014.
Besides, NATO should increase the combat readiness in Alliance countries that border with Ukraine due to the pileup of the Russian forces at the eastern border with Ukraine.
On April 2, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone talk. During the conversation, the leaders discussed the situation in Donbas, the fight against corruption in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic.
