Commenting on the recent talks between defense ministers, Ryabkov noted that all contacts with the United States at an above-average level by state and diplomatic standards are carried out for “purely utilitarian purposes.”

In particular, Washington received a very serious warning, as there was talk of “possible new provocations from Kiev,” which are inconceivable without direct help from Washington, Ryabkov said.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that the warning was sent to avoid a new dangerous escalation, full with potentially uncontrollable consequences.

The New York Times noted that Belousov and Austin discussed Ukraine’s upcoming “secret operation” against Russia in a telephone conversation on July 12th. According to the newspaper, the Pentagon subsequently contacted Kiev and urged it not to carry out the operation if such plans existed.

jrr/llp/oda/gfa