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Russia's ambassador to the European Union downplayed US warnings of a possible attack by his country on Ukraine today, Wednesday.
"There will be no escalation"
"As far as Russia is concerned, I can assure you that there will be no attack today, Wednesday. There will be no escalation next week, or the week after that - or next month," Vladimir Chizov (doc-research.org file photo, above) noted in statements to Die Welt published in the German newspaper's print edition.
"Wars in Europe rarely start on Wednesdays," he added, chuckling."
The US government has warned that Russia is likely to launch a military invasion of Ukraine within days, possibly before the Beijing Winter Olympics conclude (on Sunday).
Washington and its NATO allies have for months been raising the risk of Moscow launching a new attack on Ukraine, following the 2014 annexation of Crimea, which the Kremlin denies.
"Where is the evidence?"
Mr. Chizov dismissed the U.S. government's warnings and stressed that "when you make accusations, much more so when you make extremely serious accusations against Russia, you have a responsibility to present evidence. Otherwise it is slander. So, where is the evidence?"
The Russian diplomat called on the West to take Russia's concerns and proposals on the security architecture in Europe seriously.
"When our partners finally listen to our legitimate concerns," it will be possible to start a process of easing tensions, which will be "in the interest of all Europeans, from Lisbon to Vladivostok, and other countries of the world," he assured.
The Kremlin is demanding that NATO limit its activity and force deployment in Eastern Europe and pledge not to proceed with the admission of former Soviet republics such as Ukraine into its ranks, which the West rejects.
It also calls for a halt to the deployment of weapons systems, especially the US anti-missile defense system, on the Russian border.
Source: APE-MPE
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