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NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg: "Violence will cost Russia"
Photo: STEPHANIE LECOCQ / EPA
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned Russia against violence against Ukraine.
"Any use of force against Ukraine will have consequences, will lead to costs for Russia," said the Norwegian on Friday in Brussels.
Stoltenberg accused Russia again of deploying troops, tanks and other heavy equipment in the border area with Ukraine.
The government in Moscow must prevent further "escalation," he emphasized.
Otherwise she will "pay the price."
Although there is no certainty about Moscow's intentions, Russia has attacked Ukraine before. Russia continues to illegally occupy Crimea, destabilize eastern Ukraine and carry out cyberattacks against the country. All of these are reasons to be very concerned, said Stoltenberg. Russia is called on to be transparent, to de-escalate and to reduce tensions. "We are concerned about what we see in and around Ukraine."
The US government also commented on the situation. “We are always very concerned when we see unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine. I can't say what Russia's intentions are here, «said Karen Donfried, the top diplomat responsible for Europe, speaking to journalists on the phone. Watch the situation in the region very closely.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Riga next week. "I assume that the ministers will discuss the important opportunities and challenges that the alliance is facing - especially the large and unusual troop movements by Russia near Ukraine," said Donfried. Blinken will also be present at the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Stockholm.
Regarding statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj that Russia is planning a coup in his country, Donfried said: "I can assure you that we have taken note of the statements." The US government is in contact with the Ukrainian government, to discuss the matter further.
"We are working on obtaining additional information." Zelenskyi had said to the press in Kiev on Friday: "I have received the information that a coup d'état will take place in our country on December 1st."
sol / dpa / afp
