U.S. Department of State on military escalation: Russia is the aggressor

Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Ned Price said this at a briefing on April 20, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“So let me be clear: Russia is the aggressor,” the spokesperson said.

He stressed that the United States was "deeply concerned" about Russia’s ongoing aggressive actions and rhetoric against Ukraine. However, according to him, there are no signs that Ukraine is engaging in provocations or escalating tensions, as the Kremlin claims.

“What we have seen is a Russian disinformation campaign designed to falsely blame Ukraine for the Kremlin’s own actions,” Price said.

He recalled that this was one of the primary discussions in Brussels last week at NATO Headquarters, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a visit. The Secretary made clear that the United States Government “stands by Ukraine.”

“We will continue to support the government and the people of Ukraine in the face of what appears to be intimidation,” he summed up.

As reported, the Russian armed forces have recently been building up troops near the state border of Ukraine in the north, east and south, as well as in occupied Crimea. In addition, the number of ceasefire violations by the armed formations of the Russian Federation in eastern Ukraine has increased; there are losses among the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the Russian Federation is conducting a propaganda campaign to justify possible aggression against Ukraine.

ish