Sergei Shoigu had exchanges of unprecedented intensity this Sunday with his French, American, British and Turkish counterparts. Accused by Moscow of preparing “dirty bombs”, Ukraine has completely denied it.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed the conflict in Ukraine with his American, French, British and Turkish counterparts on Sunday, October 23.
Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on February 24, this has been an exchange of unprecedented intensity for Sergei Shoigu in a single day. During the conversation with French Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the Russian Minister denounced the situation in Ukraine “which tends to escalate uncontrollably”.
Later in the day, the Russian Ministry reported phone conversations with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. During the three phone calls, the Russian minister expressed his “concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a ‘dirty bomb'”. For its part, the French military ministry confirmed that Russian fears of a “dirty bombing raid by Ukrainians on their territory, blaming Russia” had been expressed.
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Sébastien Lecornu recalled that “France has rejected any form of escalation, particularly nuclear”, and also stressed its determination “to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict alongside its allies”. For his part, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace “refuted” Moscow’s claims that Western countries were encouraging an escalation of the war in Ukraine.
Controversy over the use of a “dirty bomb” by Ukrainians
Sergei Shoigu also spoke with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin on Sunday, their second meeting since Friday and the third since the conflict began. The Russian press release reporting this latest meeting does not mention the claims of the Ukrainians using a “dirty bomb”.
For his part, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba denied the claim, adding that it was “as absurd as it is dangerous”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also rejected Moscow’s allegations. “When Russia calls and says that Ukraine is preparing something, it means only one thing: Russia has already prepared everything. I believe that the world must now react as harshly as possible,” the Ukrainian president said on social media.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson also dismissed Minister Sergei Shoigu’s “clearly false” allegations. “The world would not be fooled if attempts were made to use this accusation as a pretext for escalation.”
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These discussions come as Russia faces a major Ukrainian counteroffensive and denounced a “significant increase” in Ukrainian fire on several Russian border regions.
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