Russia Calls US Support for Crimea Attacks "Main Cause of Tension"

Nuland Deputy Secretary "Supports Attack on Russian Military Facilities in Crimea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Russia has condemned the recent U.S. stance supporting Ukraine's attack on the Crimean Peninsula as an act that escalates tensions.

On the 19th (local time), major foreign media including TASS reported that Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said in response to a request for comment on Victoria Nuland, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, "This shows that the United States is a major instigator of international tension."

He also added, "Under Secretary Nuland belongs to the most hawkish group in U.S. politics," and "This (her remarks) is a viewpoint we are well familiar with," the report said.

Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform reported on the 14th that Under Secretary Nuland said at a Carnegie Foundation online discussion, "We will not pre-judge where Ukraine will fight or how it will handle the Crimean Peninsula."

Furthermore, she added, "Russian military facilities in Crimea are legitimate targets, Ukraine is attacking them, and we support this," the report said.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson (left).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In this regard, Under Secretary Nuland pointed out that Russia has harshly suppressed locals opposing the forced annexation of Crimea and occupation. She said the entire region has been turned into a massive military facility for the invasion of Ukraine.

The Crimean Peninsula is a strategic stronghold forcibly annexed by Russia in 2014. Since the war, Ukraine has firmly maintained its determination to reclaim Crimea. The U.S. and the West have been reluctant to provide long-range weapons capable of attacking Crimea due to concerns over escalation.

Recently, the U.S. and the U.K. have decided to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine. Reports have also emerged that the U.S. government has begun reviewing the necessity of supporting Ukraine's attacks on Crimea.

On the 10th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting London, expressed gratitude for Western military support, saying, "It will help destroy airbases deep in occupied territories so that the forces of evil are completely driven out of our country."