Russian claims that Britain and its allies are planning to assist Ukraine escalate the struggle have been rubbished by the defence secretary.
In a name with Ben Wallace, his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu alleged Ukraine was “planning actions facilitated by Western countries, including the UK” to “escalate the conflict in Ukraine“.
But in a brief, straight-forward official assertion after the decision, the Ministry of Defence mentioned: “The Defence Secretary refuted these claims.”
It mentioned each ministers had been “professional and respectful” throughout the name, however that Mr Wallace had “cautioned” Mr Shoigu in opposition to utilizing such allegations as “a pretext for greater escalation”.
The trade got here after a second name in three days between Mr Shoigu and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
It follows the same dialog between Mr Shoigu and his French counterpart on Sunday, the place the Russian warned the state of affairs in Ukraine was quickly deteriorating and trending in direction of “uncontrolled escalation”.
He advised Sebastien Lecornu, the French defence minister, that Moscow had issues Ukraine may use a “dirty bomb” within the battle.
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Some Russian nationalists have blamed Mr Shoigu for Moscow’s setbacks because the 24 February invasion and most just lately for Ukraine’s fast features within the northeastern Kharkiv area, which noticed a number of hundreds of sq. kilometres of territory regained from Russian takeover.
In his name on Sunday, Mr Wallace additionally reiterated UK and wider worldwide help for Ukraine and a need to de-escalate the battle.
“It is for Ukraine and Russia to seek resolution to the war and the UK stands ready to assist,” his assertion added.
Source: information.sky.com”