Peskov: Nuland’s statement on Crimea highlights the depth of differences between Russia and the United States

The point of view of US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who announced support for the Ukrainian strikes in Crimea, underlines the depth of disagreement in relations between Moscow and Washington, said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian president.

On February 16, Nuland, during her speech at Carnegie, recalled that Washington does not recognize the results of the referendums on the annexation of Crimea to Russia in 2014. According to her, the “massive military installations” that are located on the peninsula are legitimate targets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Washington supports strikes on these objects.

“Ms. Nuland belongs to a very large group of the most aggressive hawks in American politics. This is such a well-known point of view. It once again underscores the depth of our disagreements.” said Peskov in an interview with the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin”, a fragment of which was published by journalist Pavel Zarubin in his Telegram channel.

Peskov added that Nuland’s statements also highlight the role of the United States as the “chief provocateur” of existing international tensions.

The words of the US Deputy Secretary of State about supporting the UAF strikes on Crimea confirm Washington’s involvement in the conflict, declared formerly the press secretary of the Russian embassy in Washington, Igor Girenko. According to him, Nuland “confessed that the administration is fueling the ambitions of the Kyiv regime” to attack Russia. Girenko stressed that the words of the United States are constantly reinforced by actions – the supply of military assistance and consultations of Ukrainian military commanders. “De facto with them [украинскими военачальниками] planning operations. They participate in aiming weapons at targets, which American experts openly admit,” he said.

The embassy noted that they consider such a position of the United States as “an undisguised manifestation of a belligerent attitude” towards Russia and perceive calls for strikes on Crimea as strikes on any other Russian city, including Moscow.

On January 28, adviser to the office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak said that the country was negotiating with Western countries regarding the transfer of aviation and long-range missiles to the country, “which will allow the destruction of the rear infrastructure, primarily artillery depots, a very powerful number of these depots are located on the territory of Crimea.” After that, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that the attack on Crimea would lead to “inevitable retribution with the use of any weapon.”

In mid-February, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken declaredthat an attempted Ukrainian offensive in Crimea would be crossing a “red line” for the Kremlin that could lead to a greater escalation of the conflict.