US urges Ukraine to halt suspected Russian operation plans
We discussed an operation on Russian territory, and a representative of Ukraine's military intelligence was admitted. It pertains to a conversation between the head of the Pentagon and the Russian Defence Minister, after which the US immediately called Kyiv. Austin said, "If you are thinking of doing something like this, don't do it." We sent a severe warning, commented the Russian side.
At the beginning of this month, a call was made at the Pentagon. On the other side, the caller said Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov "urgently needed to talk to Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin about the alleged Ukrainian operation." After this conversation, Austin called Kyiv and said: "if you are thinking of doing something like this, don't do it."
The Kremlin calls the US
The matter was reported by "The New York Times." It involves two conversations that Belousov and Austin had within just a month. The first took place at the end of June. At that time, the US initiated contact with them. Another phone call - initiated by the Kremlin - took place on 12 July.
"Belousov called to deliver a warning: the Russians detected a Ukrainian secret operation against Russia, which they believed had American backing" - reported the American newspaper, citing three American officials familiar with the details of the conversation.
Intelligence confirms that the conversation took place
Belousov asked Austin if the Pentagon "knew about a plot that could escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington." The informants said Pentagon officials were surprised by the accusation and knew no such plot. - But whatever Mr Belousov revealed was taken seriously enough that the Americans contacted the Ukrainians and said: "if you are thinking of doing something like this, don't do it" - they added.
A representative of Ukrainian intelligence commented on these reports. In a conversation with the portal nv.ua, the military admitted that "the sides discussed specific actions of the Ukrainian armed forces." - We discussed an operation on Russian territory - explained the representative of military intelligence and added: - Unfortunately, we cannot provide details yet.
"Very serious warning"
The conversation was also commented on by the Russian side. - Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, in a conversation with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on 12 July, sent the head of the Pentagon a very serious warning about the possibility of uncontrolled escalation due to actions by Kyiv and Washington - informed Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, quoted by TASS.
- The Russian side sent a very serious warning about possible new provocations from Kyiv, which are unthinkable without direct assistance from Washington – continued Ryabkov. - This warning was issued to avoid further dangerous escalation, which could prove to be completely uncontrollable - he added.
