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Over the rising tensions on its border, Ukraine has requested a meeting with Russia and other members of a crucial European security group.
Dmytro Kuleba, Russia’s foreign minister, said the country had rejected formal requests to justify the force build-up.
He said the “next step” was to propose a meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss Russia’s objectives in “transparent.”
Despite the presence of 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine’s borders, Russia has denied any ambitions to invade the country.
However, several Western countries have warned that Russia is ready for military action, with the US warning that aerial bombardments may begin “at any time.”
More than a dozen countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens, and some have withdrawn embassy personnel from Kiev. According to three sources cited by CBS News, the US is prepared to evacuate all of its employees from Kiev within the next 48 hours.
Mr Kuleba stated that Ukraine had asked answers from Russia on Friday in accordance with the principles of the Vienna Document, a security agreement adopted by members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes Russia.
“If Russia is serious about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must follow through on its pledge to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and improve overall security,” he said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, slammed the “panic” that such accusations could cause and said he had seen no indication that Russia was plotting an invasion in the next days.
He chatted for over an hour on the phone with US Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday. President Biden reaffirmed US support for Ukraine, according to the White House, and both leaders agreed on “the need of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence.”
In a statement released after the call, Ukraine’s president praised the US for its “unwavering support” and urged US President Barack Obama to visit Ukraine. The White House has made no comment on the invitation.
The day before, an hour-long call between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough.