Russia threatens world order: US congressman

Europe, News, US March 5, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

US Congressman Eliot Engel has accused Russia of threatening the security of the region by supporting pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, saying Moscow is a threat to the world order.

“Ongoing Russian aggression threatens the security and stability of the entire region,” Rep. Eliot Engel said. “In fact, this is a threat to the whole international order.”

The Democrat made the allegation during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday.

“Ukraine is not going to win a war against Russia, but it can impose a greater cost on [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s aggression and slow Russia’s advances, and it has a chance to remain on its feet when all is said and done,” Engel said.

During the hearing, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland said her country considers Russia’s moves in eastern Ukraine an “invasion.”

When asked by Rep. Brian Higgins whether the United States is considering Moscow’s actions as an “invasion,” she said, “We have used that word in the past, yes.”

Nuland added that President Barack Obama is considering providing lethal weapons to Ukraine.

“That question is still under discussion, and the president has not made a decision,” she said.

On Tuesday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey supported providing lethal arms to Ukraine.

Washington accuses Moscow of arming and supporting pro-Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, calls the accusations “groundless.”

The United States and the European Union, which imposed several rounds of sanctions against Moscow, agreed to “impose significant additional costs” on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

In response, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday the continuation of economic sanctions would never affect the country’s foreign policies.

“Sanctions will never make Russia change its consecutive foreign policy,” he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that Obama’s move can only be deemed as an attempt to hinder the peace process in eastern Ukraine.

AGB/AGB