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NATO continues escalation policy in Ukrainian crisis, raises stakes — official

The diplomat added that NATO could have prevented a conflict in Ukraine, but the alliance was pushing Kiev to escalate

BELGRADE, October 15. /TASS/. NATO's actions within the Ukrainian crisis are becoming more aggressive and aimed at escalating the conflict, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with TASS.

"The alliance's policy has not changed at all, it is becoming more and more aggressive. That is, NATO continues the escalation its policy, raises the stakes," Grushko said.

The diplomat added that NATO could have prevented a conflict in Ukraine, but the alliance was pushing Kiev to escalate. "NATO could well have avoided this catastrophe if the alliance, after the coup in Kiev, instead of providing military-technical military support to the authorities, would have urged them to fully implement the Minsk agreements, but it was important for the alliance to demonize Russia. With its reckless actions, it pushed Kiev to continue the fratricidal war," Grushko said.

"Continuing shelling of Donetsk and Lugansk fit into the scenario of demonizing Russia - the search for a big enemy, without which NATO cannot exist," he added.

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