US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that Washington has no objection to kyiv striking Crimea
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned US diplomats on Friday over what it called “provocative statements” by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The US official was de facto supporting Ukrainian strikes against Russian territory, including Crimea and the Belgorod region, the ministry said in a statement.
Moscow expressed its “strong protest” on what he called “unacceptable remarks” made by Sullivan. His words prove that previous US statements suggesting that Washington does not approve of any Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are “hypocrite and liar” the statement said. He added that weapons and equipment provided by the United States are used by Ukraine to “terrorist acts”.
“The hostile actions of the United States, which has long been a party to the conflict, have plunged US-Russian relations into a deep and dangerous crisis with unforeseeable consequences,” he added. notify the ministry. He also argued that “Any form of aggression against Russia would always meet with a resolute response.”
It is unclear which specific statements by Sullivan triggered the reaction from Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not elaborate or make any specific comments. Last week, the national security adviser told CNN that Washington has no objection to Kiev striking Crimea, including with weapons supplied by the United States.
“We have not imposed any limits on the ability of Ukraine to strike on its territory within its internationally recognized borders,” he said, adding that “we believe Crimea is Ukraine.”
Sullivan did not mention Russia’s Belgorod region in the interview, however, and always maintained that Washington “will not allow Ukraine” to attack Russia with American weapons systems. Crimea joined Russia in 2014 following the Maidan coup in kyiv, following a referendum.
Earlier on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry also warned that Moscow could sever ties with London over the UK’s alleged role in the Ukrainian terror attacks in Russia. The ministry said such a move would be a “extreme measure”. The warning came after the Wall Street Journal reported last week that British special forces would “a decisive influence on the activity of the Ukrainian special forces”, including in sabotage operations against Russian railways and other logistical targets.
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