Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

By Talha Yavuz

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) - The Ukrainian foreign minister said on Monday that whether Russia will launch a new attack on his country depends on the strength of his country and its partners.

Speaking to the Ukraine 24 TV channel, Dmytro Kuleba said he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is mulling a new attack on Ukraine.

“Two factors will determine whether he (Putin) will implement this option; firstly, our own strength and the composure of the Ukrainians, and secondly, the strength and coordination of our partners,” he stressed.

Underlining that they need to demonstrate maximum effectiveness as a society and state in the coming months, he urged the people not to panic.

Russia has been trying to destabilize Ukraine in many ways since 2014, he said, adding that Russia's main aim is to make Ukraine as weak as possible by destabilizing the country internally and by preventing it from cooperation in the defense sector with other countries.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Russia has continued its military buildup near its border and has stationed 90,000 Russian troops, according to The Associated Press.

Russia seized and occupied Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and remains the de facto authority there. Moscow also that year began to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine against the central government, a policy that it has maintained over the past seven years.

Its spring buildup led to concerns then of an imminent invasion of Ukraine, but Moscow drew down its forces beginning in April.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar