Moscow warns against a repeat of Cuban missile crisis. Russian tensions could provoke US sanctions over Ukraine.










Russia warned that the US’s escalating tensions over Ukraine could lead to a repeat of the 1962 Cuban missile crises.  

Interfax quoted Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister, as saying, “You know, it could happen to that.” 

“If events continue the way they are, it is possible to see yourself suddenly in something like this.

This was in reference to 1962’s standoff between the United States of America and Soviet Union, which brought the world close to nuclear war.

The West is concerned about Russian troops being built up near Ukraine. 

Moscow raised alarm over Ukraine’s closer relations with NATO. It also charged Kyiv with troop building.

Germany’s foreign minister, who was appointed on Thursday, warned Russia it will pay a “high political and economically high price” if it makes any military moves against Ukraine.

Annalena Bärbock spoke in Paris, her first overseas trip, just a few days after she took office. She stressed the importance of coordinating a European position to deal with Russia and other hostile neighbors.

Chief of the Russian General Staff General Valery Gerasimov called media reports that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine “a lie” and claimed that Ukraine is responsible for increasing tensions in war-torn Eastern industrial heartland known as Donbas by using new weapons.

General Gerasimov cautioned Kyiv to avoid using force in this area. He stated, at briefings with foreign military attaches that any provocation by Ukrainian authorities in order to solve the Donbas problem with force will be dismantled.

Russia and Ukraine are locked in an ugly tug-of-war ever since 2014. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have died in the fighting between Ukrainian forces, Russia-backed rebels and other groups.

An increase in tensions has been reported this year due to reports that Russia is building troops near Ukraine’s frontier.

US President Joe Biden announced this week that the US would play a stronger role in diplomacy to address Russian President Vladimir Putin’s concerns regarding Ukraine and Europe. It is part of an effort to deter the Russian leader from ordering another, more dangerous invasion of Ukraine.

US intelligence officers have discovered that Russia has approximately 70,000 troops stationed near Ukraine’s border and is planning to invade as soon as next year.

Moscow denied any plans to attack Ukraine, and Kyiv suggested that it might attempt to seize the territory held by rebels. Ukrainian officials deny any plans to attack Ukraine.

Putin has asked the West to give guarantees to stop Nato expanding into Ukraine. On Tuesday, President Biden discussed the tension around Ukraine.

Both President Biden and European officials warned that Russia would face severe economic consequences if they invade Ukraine.

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