Moscow fears Kyiv may be forming attack force in southeast
MOSCOW. Sept 9 (Interfax) - Russia is concerned about the amassing of heavy weaponry by the Ukrainian army in the Debaltseve area, which may be a sign of the formation of an attack force, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We know that the militia and we, as a party which has attested to the agreement reached in Minsk on September 5, have serious concerns about yesterday's reports on the concentration of heavy weaponry in the Debaltseve area, armaments on the side of the Ukrainian law enforcement forces," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow.
"According to all indicators, we may presume a certain attack force is being prepared," he added.
"We and the militia from Luhansk and Donetsk have conveyed these concerns to the Kyiv authorities. We have been assured there are no plans to disrupt the truce but, as they say, assurances are verified by practice. We will be watching the evolving situation very carefully. We have no interest in anyone or anything trying to thwart the fulfilment of the Minsk accords," the minister said.