(Kiev) Ukraine on Thursday warned Russia against any attempt to invade its territory, which it “would pay dearly”, at a time when Western countries are worried about Russian troop movements on the border.
“We are not trying to guess what (Vladimir) Putin has in mind. We are trying to make him understand that a new attack on Ukraine would be too expensive ”, declared the head of Ukrainian diplomacy Dmytro Kouleba.
“Moscow must clearly understand what political, economic and human losses it will suffer” in the event of aggression, added Mr. Kouleba, during a press briefing. “That is why it is better for him that he does not do it”, he concluded.
In recent weeks, the United States, NATO and the European Union have continued to express their concern about Russian troop movements around Ukraine, fearing a possible invasion, Moscow denying any plans in this direction. .
Eastern Ukraine has been plagued since 2014 by a war between Kiev and pro-Russian separatists, which erupted shortly after Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and has since claimed more than 13,000 lives.
Despite its denials, Russia is considered the godfather of the pro-Russian separatists and is accused of providing them with men and weapons.
Conversely, Moscow accuses the West of carrying out threatening exercises at its borders, in particular with strategic bombers, and of aggravating tensions by delivering arms to Kiev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kiev of provocation on the front line in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday in a telephone interview with European Council President Charles Michel.