MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia will “respond” if Russian citizens are killed anywhere, including in the breakaway region of Donbass, the RIA news agency said in remarks made by the Russian ambassador to Russia. Union, Vladimir Chizhov.
“We will not invade Ukraine unless we are provoked to do so,” said Vladimir Chizhov. “If the Ukrainians launch an attack on Russia, don’t be surprised if we counterattack. Or if they start blatantly killing Russian citizens anywhere, in Donbass or elsewhere.”
Donbass separatists, backed by Russia, argue that Kiev is preparing to launch an offensive against them while Ukrainian authorities claim that Russia, which has amassed tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine’s borders, plans to invade its neighbour.
(Report Anton Kolodyazhnyy, French version Matthieu Protard, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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