Italy, Spain, and Greece on Wednesday (Nov. 20) shut down their embassies in Kyiv following a similar move by the US earlier in the day. The US embassy had warned of a potential significant air attack, citing “specific information”.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has announced that a “freeze” of the conflict along the existing frontlines is not acceptable to Moscow, an indication that Russia was willing to continue the war as Ukraine continues to occupy parts of its Kursk Oblast.
During a press conference, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also accused the Joe Biden administration in the US of adding fuel to the fire, saying Washington, DC, was doing everything possible to continue the war.
“If you look at the trends of the outgoing US administration, they are fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to do so,” he said.
Speaking of US approval to Ukraine for using long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia, Peskov said Russia was not alerted beforehand by Western officials.
Biden administration steps up weapons delivery to Ukraine
Earlier, it was reported that Biden has authorised the transfer of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. As per a Washington Post report citing unnamed US officials, the land mines are described as “nonpersistent”, which means they are designed to self-destruct or deactivate within a set timeframe to minimise risks to civilians.
The US has, however, sought a promise from Kyiv that the landmines will only be used within Ukrainian territories.
Moscow denies role in Baltic sea cable sabotage
The Kremlin also rubbished allegations that Russia was behind the cutting of telecommunications cables running under the Baltic Sea. One undersea cable was cut between Lithuania and Sweden on Sunday (Nov. 17) morning, prompting European officials to raise concerns over alleged Russian hybrid warfare. Another cable linking Finland and Germany was also disrupted, according to telecommunication companies.
“It’s quite absurd to keep blaming Russia for everything without any grounds. It is laughable in the context of the lack of any reaction to Ukraine’s sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea,” Peskov said.
(With inputs from agencies)