Ukraine, US develop ‘deterrence package’ against Russia

KYIV, Ukraine

Ukraine’s foreign minister said Thursday that his country and the US are working to develop a Russian “deterrence package,” including economic sanctions.

“We are closely working together on developing a comprehensive deterrence package, including severe economic sanctions, to demotivate Russia from further aggressive moves,” Dmytro​​​​​​​ Kuleba wrote on Twitter following a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the 28th meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Sweden.

“We reaffirm the enduring Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership,” he said, and shared a picture from the meeting.

Kuleba‘s remarks came after NATO's top official said Tuesday that Russia would face serious consequences if it uses force against Ukraine.

"We call on Russia to be transparent, de-escalate and reduce tensions," Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference after the first day of a NATO foreign ministers' conference.

Long-standing tensions about Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 have been exacerbated by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern border region of Donbas, along with a Russian military buildup that has been denounced by the West.

Amid the buildup, Russia has accused Ukraine of provocations, a charge Kyiv denies.