Washington and NATO have been alarmed by the large build-up of Russian troops near Ukraine and in Crimea, the peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
Western officials point out that the concentration of forces is now larger than during that annexation. The figure given by Kuleba is higher than Ukraine’s previous estimate of 80,000 Russian troops, of which 50,000 were reportedly new deployments.
“Russian troops continue to arrive in close proximity to our borders in the northeast, in the east, and in the south. In about a week, they are expected to reach a combined force of over 120,000 troops,” Kuleba told an online news conference.
WATCH: DOOCY AND KJP ARE HAVING A LITTLE FUN FOR A CHANGE
“This does not mean they will stop building up their forces at that number,” Kuleba said, warning of what he said was Moscow’s unpredictability although he said Ukraine did not want conflict with Russia.
“The cost of preventing Russia’s further escalation will always be lower than the cost of stopping it and mitigating its consequences. … It is way more effective to clearly make Moscow understand that a new stage of aggression will have dire consequences for Russia, international isolation, and painful economic sanctions.”
WATCH: AOC AND MTG FIGHTING IN CONGRESS
Kuleba additionally called for Moscow to recommit to a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed forces have fought Ukrainian troops in a conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people since 2014.
Kyiv and Moscow have traded blame for a spike in casualties in the conflict in recent weeks. Kuleba said Russian snipers were killing Ukrainian soldiers to provoke Ukraine to counterattack.
HELICOPTER CRASH CLAIMS LIVES OF IRANIAN PRESIDENT: WHAT DOES THIS MEANS FOR GLOBAL POLITICS?
Russia has claimed that its troop build-up is a three-week snap military drill to test combat readiness in response to what it calls threatening behavior from NATO. Moscow on Tuesday also accused the United States and NATO of “provocative activity” in the waters and airspace of the Black Sea.
NEXT LEVEL DAZED AND CONFUSED: BIDEN APPEARS UTTERLY LOST AS HE CLAPS FOR CEASEFIRE
Kuleba attended a video conference with EU foreign ministers and revealed that he openly “called on colleagues to start considering a new round of sectoral sanctions against Russia.”
He announced that he did not feel EU ministers were ready for such a move but he told them that individual sanctions on Russian officials were insufficient.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: THE DIDDY ASSAULT FOOTAGE THAT'S TOO OLD FOR JUSTICE? (WATCH)
President Biden said he had a "candid" and "respectful" conversation with Putin last week when he told his counterpart that he would be retaliating for interference in the 2020 presidential election and a sweeping cyberattack against American government.
The President called for a de-escalation in tensions with Russia on Thursday after hitting the country with fresh sanctions and proposed a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer.
FETTERMAN WEIGHS IN ON MEMENDEZ'S 'BLAME YOUR WIFE' STRATEGY
"The United States is not looking to kick off a cycle of escalation and conflict with Russia. We want a stable, predictable relationship," Biden said. "If Russia continues to interfere with our democracy. I'm prepared to take further actions to respond. It is my responsibility as president of the United States to do so."
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
