US President Joe Biden ruled out sending American troops to defend Ukraine, but threatened Russia with unprecedented sanctions in the event of an invasion.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Moscow received a note of protest against NATO actions near the Russian borders.
“Allies in the Alliance have resorted to provocations against civil aircraft,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
“In connection with these provocative actions, on December 8, a note of protest was handed to the US Embassy in Moscow, in which it warned of the dangerous consequences of such recklessness,” Zakharova said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will continue its dialogue with the United States. Moscow will prepare proposals on security and submit them to Washington in a few days.
He denied accusations that Russia was planning an attack on Ukraine and called them a provocation.
“We cannot but worry about the prospect of Ukraine’s possible accession to NATO,” Putin said, adding that “this will certainly lead to the deployment of appropriate military contingents, bases and weapons that threaten us.”
“And now we see missile defense systems in Poland and Romania,” Putin said.
He warned that the expansion of the Alliance eastward, including Ukraine, is a very sensitive issue for Russia’s security.
“Russia is pursuing a foreign policy of peace, but it has the right to defend its security,” Putin said.
