Oksana MarkarovaWASHINGTON, Jan 31Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova denied publications that have appeared in recent days about «growing tensions» in relations between Washington and Kiev due to alleged differences in assessments of the current situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border. As CNN reported last week, citing sources in the American administration, the White House is dissatisfied with the fact that official Kiev «downplays the threat» of an allegedly possible escalation from Russia. Moscow, in turn, has repeatedly denied such plans. In addition, Washington believes that Ukraine “without much gratitude” accepts help from the United States, the TV channel indicated. “There are no frictions between our countries. Listen, we may have certain discussions, there may be different points of view, but the United States is our strategic partner, I would even say strategic friend number one,» Markarova said in an interview with CBS, commenting on these publications. The diplomat stressed that relations between Kiev and Washington, especially over the past year, were «at the highest level in recent 30 years». Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations of the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», stating that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. At the same time, Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» sides of Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not bother anyone.
