Calls to deploy US air defense prove Kiev’s provocative policy towards Russia – diplomat

Ukraine’s call to station the US air defense forces on its territory proves the provocative nature of Kiev’s policy in the region and with regards to Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Channel One on Wednesday.

“This, it seems to me, is proof…of Ukraine’s provocative policy both in the region and with regards to Russia. This is the proof of the US’ intentions regarding building relations with Ukraine itself when the Russian factor is at the center of these relations,” she said.

====

Ukrainian official’s speculations about hosting US air defense provocative – Slutsky

Speculations by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for the Reintegration of Uncontrolled Territories Alexey Reznikov to the effect Ukraine might host US air defense systems are crude provocation, and the deployment of such forces will not remain without Russia’s retaliation, the chairman of the State Duma’s committee for international affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said in his Telegram-channel on Tuesday.

“Reznikov’s statement is crude provocation. The deployment of the US missile defense systems in Ukraine may change the balance of force in the region and outside it,” Slutsky wrote.