The United States has accused Russia of seeking an excuse to “invade further.”

On Monday, the United States accused Russia of seeking “excuses for further occupation of Ukraine” and warned that recognizing Moscow’s secession would violate Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“This is not an exaggeration. It is not hysteria. It is not provocation. No matter what Russia tries to say, the harsh truth is that Russia is now trying to create excuses for military action,” he said. Michael Carpenter, before the Permanent Council on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

The U.S. ambassador to the OSCE criticized the “wrong withdrawal” of military forces from the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, as well as the planned moves by Russian troops in Belarus – near the Ukrainian border. “The United States, once again, seeks an excuse to invade Ukraine and urges Russia to stop its dangerous provocations. We will return to the negotiating table before many more lives are lost,” the diplomat added. The extraordinary meeting was convened by Ukraine.

Michael Carpenter recalled that “innocent lives were in danger” and that efforts to “start a war of aggression” must be redoubled.

The diplomat also criticized Russia for saying it was not part of the conflict, despite evidence of Russian military and weapons presence in eastern Ukraine. “The missiles, electronic combat systems and tanks in the Russian-controlled Donetsk and Lukansk regions are domestically produced, commanded and controlled by the local people, trying to propagate the false story that it is a simple ‘in between’.”

Michael Carpenter promised that if Russia recognized the Lukansk and Donetsk republics, it would signify the end of the Minsk agreement and the violation of “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.” If this happens, it will undermine the international order, which is subject to the condemnation of the international community, under the threat of force.