Ukraine’s interim government is promising new attacks against protester-held cities in its east, something they have presented as “anti-terrorism” operations, but is facing increasing warnings from Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov said any attacks on Russian citizens in eastern Ukraine would be treated as an attack on the Russian Federation itself, and that Ukraine could “certainly” expect a response from its much larger neighbor in that event.
Lavrov also urged the US to stop escalating the situation, claiming they are acting in a “hands-on manner” to push Ukraine into a military confrontation. The US has openly endorsed military action against protesters repeatedly as a “law and order” measure.
The State Department angrily denied any involvement in Ukraine’s offensive, calling Lavrov’s comments “inflammatory” but insisting comfort with Ukraine’s attacks, which they dubbed a “counterterrorism operation.”
