U.S. Warns Russia Against Escalation In Ukraine

As Russia claims that Ukraine is planning to use a a so-called dirty bomb on its own soil, U.S. officials are stressing that the allegations are nothing more than a false flag, with an eye on what the Kremlin might do next, TURAN's Washignton correspondent reports.

"... We’re concerned when we hear this type of patently false disinformation emanating from the Kremlin. We know the Kremlin’s track record when it comes to these types of claims," State Department's spokesperson Ned Price on Monday told a daily press briefing.

"We reject the transparently false allegation that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory," he added.

Washington accused Moscow of plotting to use a threat of a dirty bomb laced with nuclear material as a pretext for escalation in Ukraine as Russia evacuated civilians from a southern city in anticipation of a major battle.

"The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation. Notably, however, … we still have seen nothing to indicate that the Russians have made a decision to employ nuclear weapons," a senior Defense Department official told reporters at the Pentagon.

Both State and Defense Department officials assured that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep the lines of communication open between allies, partners, Ukrainians and the Russians.

Secretary Antony Blinken on Monday spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, for the second day in a row.

"The Secretary reaffirmed enduring U.S. support for Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression, atrocities, and rhetoric surrounding so-called “dirty bombs” in Ukraine. He noted our commitment to work with Allies and partners to continue meeting Ukraine’s security assistance needs on the battlefield"  Price said in a statement.

Secretary of Defense Austin, in his turn, spoke with Ukraine's defense minister Reznikov and reiterated that the U.S. "rejects the public and false allegations by Russia about Ukraine and any attempt to use them as a pretext for further Russian escalation of its unlawful war," according to the Pentagon.

Separately, U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley on Monday spoke with Russian counterpart. “The military leaders discussed several security-related issues of concern and agreed to keep the lines of communication open. In accordance with past practice, the specific details of their conversation will be kept private,” wrote Joint Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler in a readout of the call.

Milley’s call came as Secretary Austin held two calls with his Russian counterpart in the past week.

When asked by TURAN's correspondent whether there was any shift in the U.S. policy of not engaging with Russia officials in anything about Ukraine without Ukraine, State Department spokesperson said on Monday that it "is still very much our policy":

"I can assure you.. that Secretary Austin would not engage in anything about Ukraine without Ukraine. That is a mantra that is at the heart of our approach both in this building [State Department], at the Pentagon, from the White House, and throughout this administration,"

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.