KYIV. April 13 (Interfax) - Kyiv does not want war in Donbas, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, thanking NATO for its support.
"We do not plan any offensive or escalation. Ukraine is devoted to diplomatic and political means of settling the conflict," Kuleba said at a joint briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Tuesday.
The minister accused Russia of military buildup near the two countries' joint border in Crimea and in the Black and Azov seas. "By gathering today, we try to avoid the mistake that was made in 2014, when Russia was ready to act swiftly and pursue its military goals in Crimea and Donbas, while our Western partners were considering their reactions to what was happening on the ground. Russia will not be able to catch anyone by surprise anymore. Ukraine and our friends remain vigilant [...] and should Moscow take any reckless move or start a new spiral of violence, it will be costly in all senses," Kuleba said.
Kuleba said he discussed with Stoltenberg how NATO can support Ukraine in these circumstances. "Every word of support matters, and we appreciate it. However, we also need some very practical support, and I appreciate the readiness of the secretary-general to work with us on this matter," he said.
"When you ask me how far Russia can go, my answer to you is: I cannot exclude anything, but I do believe that we have all tools available not only to prevent Russia from making a single step forward, but also to make it withdraw from the occupied territories of Ukraine," Kuleba said.