Moscow slams Kiev for confrontation strategy against Russia

MOSCOW - Moscow on Tuesday accused Kiev of compassing a far-reaching confrontation with Russia, citing Ukraine's national security strategy as an evidence.

"The Ukrainian national security strategy has been aimed at a long-term confrontation with Russia, which has worried us," said Nikolai Patrushev, head of the Russian Security Council.

The strategy allows the Western bloc to use Ukrainian natural, industrial and military resources, and is likely to escalate tension in the restive southeastern region in the country, Patrushev said.

He added that the strategy would encourage Ukraine's further militarization, which ignores the needs and hopes of the Ukrainian people.

Patrushev slammed Kiev for declaring Russia an aggressor and threat for Ukraine, while defining the United States as a principal strategic ally.

He also lambasted Kiev for quitting its nonaligned status, upgrading the nation's armed forces and defense industry to NATO standards and fuel hatred for Russia among the Ukrainian youth.

In May, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko approved the strategy until 2020, which envisaged Kiev's orientation toward the European Union and NATO as the country's principal allies.