MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia on Tuesday called on the United States an adversary and told US warships to stay away from Crimea “for their own good”, calling their deployment in the Black Sea a test to test Russian nerves.
“The United States is our adversary and is doing everything in its power to undermine Russia’s position on the world stage,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
“We do not see any other elements in their approach. These are our conclusions, “he was quoted as saying. The comment was a strong break from ordinary Moscow language, which in the past has often referred to the United States as a” partner. “
Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and two US warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week amid escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have clashed with Russian-backed separatists in a conflict over which Kiev says killed 14,000 people.
Additional reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Jon Boyle