United States Calls on Russia to Respect Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty

The United States called on Russia to reduce tensions in relations with Ukraine and to respect its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“The United States is calling on Russia to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and not provoke or increase tensions,” said Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, the U.S. Department of Defense informs.

Kirby confirmed the information about a troop buildup in the occupied Crimea and “in other areas on the border of the two nations.”

According to Kirby, the US has provided Ukraine with non-lethal and lethal items that allow Ukrainian people “to better defend themselves.”

As a reminder, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021). The document provides for the allocation of $250 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including $75 million for the purchase of lethal weapons for the needs of the Armed Forces Ukraine, an increase of $25 million compared to 2020.

Moreover, the NDAA 2021 stipulates a tightening of sanctions over the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, including the expansion of the list of services subject to U.S. sanctions under Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act of 2019.

Natalia Tolub