Russian official: European nations stirring up escalation around Ukraine

Director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin has said that Russia is witnessing an increasing escalation around Ukraine, fueled by the growing involvement of European nations.

Naryshkin expressed concerns over the rising military activity of NATO member states, particularly along Russia's borders, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

“We are seeing heightened military activity from NATO states near our borders. We can feel and observe that European countries, especially France, the UK and Germany, are intensifying the level of escalation around the Ukrainian conflict,” he stated.

On April 10, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced that both the European Union and NATO are exploring the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine. Such a decision could be implemented after a ceasefire is achieved, with options ranging from a monitoring mission to a more active deterrence role. 

The following day, Alexey Polishchuk, head of the Second CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed that discussions within European countries regarding a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine were, in reality, preparation for military intervention. He emphasised Russia's concerns over these developments, which are seen as escalatory. 

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused European countries of seeking to maintain a "Nazi regime" in Ukraine, further intensifying rhetoric surrounding the conflict.

By Naila Huseynova