The United States is using Ukraine as an "instrument to contain Russia" and "push Russia into an armed conflict," stated Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, February 1, warning, "The U.S. and NATO response regarding security guarantees makes clear that Russia's fundamental concerns are being ignored."
He added, "The United States does not care so much about Ukraine's security, its main goal is to stop Russia's development," and the way to achieve this is to involve Russia in an armed conflict or force the European Union to tighten sanctions.
The Russian embassy in Washington like issued a statement indicating that "threats of new U.S. sanctions against Russia will not force us to back down or remain passive."
These comments were made in response to continuing accusations by the U.S. State Department regarding the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
"It was the United States that encouraged the radical-nationalist coup in Kiev, that put the inhabitants of Crimea in danger of extermination, which is why (that population) voted in favor of reunification with Russia," the diplomatic mission stated, according to RT reports.
Coincidentally, also on February 1, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky informed the country’s Parliament of the signing of an order to increase national army troops by 100,000, over the next three years.
A legislator from the Ukrainian party Opposition Platform for Life had noted earlier that the escalation of tensions in Eastern Europe, due to statements about hypothetical Russia aggression, has created a "beneficial" situation for the countries fueling conflict.
"I would like to stress that no one is giving us any presents. They are forcing us to buy weapons, hastily, at triple the price... They are forcing us (to sign) contracts and we are taking out loans to finance them. There is no investment," the Ukrainian opposition lawmaker denounced on condition of anonymity, according to the TASS agency.
According to press reports, during the month of January, Ukraine received, on the 22nd, more than 90 tons of lethal weapons from the United States; on the 23rd another 80 tons arrived from the same provider, and two days later, on the 25th, another 80-ton shipment of U.S. Javelin anti-tank missile systems was delivered.
In addition, defense ministers of Baltic countries were authorized to supply Ukraine with US-made weaponry, including Javelin missiles, Stinger man-portable air defense systems, and other military equipment. According to Ukrainian media reports, Kiev has recently received 700 Javelin missiles and 2,200 NLAW anti-tank missiles.
