Pentagon spokesman Kirby denied the words of Minister Shoigu about US provocations in Donbass
John Kirby. Photo: Reuters TV
The United States commented on the statement of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that American private military companies (PMCs) are preparing a provocation with chemicals in eastern Ukraine, RIA Novosti reports.
US response
Shoigu's words about the preparation of provocations with chemical weapons in the Donbass were assessed by Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. He responded to the accusations of the Russian minister and denied them, stressing that the statement of the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense is far from reality.
These statements by Minister Shoigu are completely untrue.
John KirbyPentagon spokesman
Kirby added that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not hold talks with his Russian counterpart amid escalating tensions around Ukraine. “I have nothing to announce today from his schedule,” – said a spokesman for the Pentagon.
Against rhetoric
The US State Department also commented on Shoigu's statement. US department spokesman Ned Price urged Russia not to use false and provocative rhetoric. In his opinion, Moscow needs to take effective steps to de-escalate tensions around the situation in Ukraine, “to provide a positive atmosphere for discussions.”
Contrary to statements by the Russian defense minister, Russia and its supporters are responsible for escalating tensions, not Ukraine or the United States.
Ned Price State Department Press Secretary
DPR reaction
The authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) took Shoigu's statement about provocations in Donbass with all seriousness. The head of the DPR Denis Pushilin stressed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) continue to strengthen their positions near the line of contact in the region.
Pushilin noted that an analysis of the military situation confirms Shoigu's statement about possible provocations. The head of the DPR also accused Ukraine of trying to arrange a man-made and humanitarian catastrophe, which “will lead to unpredictable consequences for the whole world.”
Expert forecasts
Political scientist Lucas Leiros predicted that Ukraine would lose NATO support due to incessant provocations towards Russia. He stressed that the North Atlantic Alliance had promised Kiev protection and intervention in the event of Russian aggression, so Kiev began to attack more often.
However, Leiros stressed that Kiev is a NATO instrument. “Provocation is the word that best describes the history of Ukraine from 2014 to the present,” the expert concluded.
The retired FSB general, military expert Alexander Mikhailov said that the war with Russia could be the goal of provoking the United States in Ukraine. According to him, many serious conflicts broke out due to provocations. At the same time, Mikhailov admitted that the States could use chemical weapons with human casualties.
The Kremlin's position
Russian President Vladimir Putin at an expanded meeting of the board of the Ministry of Defense said that the United States may try to push Ukraine to attack Crimea. He recalled that Russia possesses the Zircon hypersonic missile, which the American side does not have.
Do they think that we do not see these threats, or do they think that we will limp mindlessly look at the threats posed to Russia? This is the whole problem, we just have nowhere to move on – that is the question.
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia
On December 17, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, announced the complete loss of Ukraine for Russia as an ally. He noted the hostility of the Ukrainian authorities towards Russia and added that Russians and Ukrainians will remain fraternal peoples, despite the “fooling” by Kiev.
Shoigu's statement
On December 21, at an expanded meeting of the Collegium of the Ministry of Defense with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu said that the US PMCs were preparing provocations with chemical weapons in Donbass. According to him, in order to achieve this goal, the United States delivered tanks with unidentified chemicals to the cities of Avdiivka and Krasny Liman.
120 representatives of the US PMC are in Ukraine
Representatives of the US PMCs who arrived in Donbass, according to Shoigu, have already begun to deal with the Ukrainian special forces.
