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Russia’s Lavrov Bashes NATO Over its ‘Destructive Role’ in Ukrainian Crisis

© East News/APRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted NATO had played a destructive role during the entire length of the Ukrainian crisis
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted NATO had played a destructive role during the entire length of the Ukrainian crisis - Sputnik International
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NATO has played a destructive role during the entire length of the Ukrainian crisis and continues to push Kiev toward confrontation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Updated 09:21 a.m. Moscow Time

MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) – NATO has played a destructive role during the Ukrainian crisis and continues to push Kiev toward confrontation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with El Pais newspaper.

"We cannot overlook NATO's destructive role throughout the Ukrainian crisis. In particular, the alliance has taken the course on building up Ukraine's military potential, which is used [by Kiev] against civilians," Lavrov said in the interview published Wednesday.

"NATO leadership supports plans of member countries to expand supplying Ukraine with special means and military equipment that could be used by Ukrainian authorities for internal repressions. Therefore, they are practically pushing Kiev to forcible resolution of the conflict," the minister said.

The US-led military alliance has been ratcheting up its presence near Russia's borders since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, citing the need to better defend its allies. NATO intensified its air patrols in the Baltic countries, deployed surveillance planes over Poland and Romania and sent its warships to the Black and Mediterranean seas.

In April, NATO suspended cooperation with Russia over Moscow's alleged role in escalating the crisis in Ukraine, the claim Russia has repeatedly denied.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week the crisis in eastern Ukraine, which has been provoked by the West, has mainly been used to resuscitate NATO.

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