Russia warns West, Ukraine against ‘provocation’

Moscow, February 24

Warning Ukraine and NATO against a “provocation” in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria, Russia on Friday said that any action that poses a threat to Russian peacekeepers or nationals there would be seen as an attack on Russia.

In a statement on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry, citing data from the Defence Ministry that Ukraine has amassed considerable numbers of military personnel, as well as hardware and artillery on its border with Transnistria, warned the “US, NATO member states and their Ukrainian underlings against any further adventurous steps”, RT reported.

While Russia favours “political-diplomatic” ways of resolving issues, “no one should have any doubt that the Russian armed forces will react appropriately to any provocation by the Kiev regime,” the statement read. It stressed that it is determined to protect its citizens, peacekeepers, and military personnel stationed in Moldova’s breakaway region. — IANS