Russia "No Plan to Invade Ukraine... US Provoking Us"

This is a photo released by the Belarus Ministry of Defense on the 18th (local time), showing a train transporting Russian military vehicles arriving in Belarus. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Russia claimed that it has "no plans to invade Ukraine" and argued that the United States is instead pushing Ukraine into provocation.

According to TASS and other sources, the Russian Embassy in the United States stated on Facebook on the 18th (local time), "Senior officials from the White House, State Department, and Department of Defense have unanimously announced that there are no de-escalation measures in the Russia-Ukraine border area and that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time," adding, "We once again emphasize that Russia has no intention to invade anyone."

It further explained regarding the U.S. claim that Russia has deployed about 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border and is preparing to invade Ukraine, saying, "Military movements and training within our own territory are our sovereign rights."

The Russian Embassy urged to "stop the hysteria surrounding the Donbas (eastern Ukraine) issue and not to escalate tensions," and stressed that "the most important thing is not to push Ukraine's 'hawks' into provocation." This is interpreted as an assertion that the U.S. is amplifying the threat of a Russian invasion to escalate the Ukraine crisis, thereby pushing hardliners within Ukraine into provocations against Russia.

Earlier, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a briefing that the Ukraine crisis is extremely dangerous and that "Russia is in a position to attack (Ukraine) at any time."

In fact, Russia is reportedly planning joint military exercises with Belarus, which neighbors Ukraine, from the 10th to the 20th of next month. There are also analyses suggesting that Russia is already moving troops and equipment to Belarus for the exercises.

In response, CNN reported that the Biden administration is considering providing additional weapons to Ukraine.