NATO chief warns Russia against ‘use of false pretexts’

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that “Russia must not use false pretexts for further escalation” in the Ukraine conflict.

He stated this in a statement released on Wednesday.

“Russia now falsely claims Ukraine is preparing to use a radiological ‘dirty bomb’ on its territory.

“NATO allies reject this transparently false allegation. Russia often accuses others of what they intend to do themselves.

“We have seen this pattern before. From Syria to Ukraine,” he added. “The world is watching closely.”

Moscow had previously alleged that Ukraine was planning to detonate a radioactive “dirty bomb” in a bid to discredit Russia.

dpa/NAN