All news

Russia alarmed by NATO states’ programs with Ukraine — NATO ambassador

Russia’s NATO Ambassador Alexander Grushko says Nato keeps training Ukrainian special forces, Ukrainian armed forces

MOSCOW, June 6./TASS/. Russia is concerned over bilateral programs of certain NATO countries with Ukraine, Russia’s NATO Ambassador Alexander Grushko told Rossiya 24 television on Monday.

"We are no less concerned over bilateral programs implemented by certain NATO countries. In particular, they keep training Ukrainian special forces, Ukrainian armed forces," Grushko said. "And we see that these trained forces are moving closer to the conflict zone. This fuels escalation and plays into the hands of the party of war, fueling revanchist sentiments," he said.

This game "is at variance with the interests of not only Ukraine, but of the Western European countries," he added. The role of NATO "in the Ukrainian crisis was unequivocally negative, including in the genesis of the crisis itself," Grushko went on.

Earlier NATO’S Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Curtis Scaparotti, said the Alliance should support Ukraine with all it needed to protect its sovereignty and territory.

"I do believe that we should support the Ukrainians with what they need to successfully defend their territory and their sovereignty," Scaparrotti said.