Washington and its NATO allies have targeted Russian financial institution, high net worth individuals, with sanctions and asset freezes, while Germany has put the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline on hold.

Iran blames the interference and provocative measures of US-led NATO for the complication of the Ukraine crisis and the sharp escalation of tensions.

The West has started an intelligence war against Moscow, says Russia’s ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov, adding that “not even one of Russia’s high-ranking representatives has ever said that Russia is going to attack any state.”

French President Emmanuel Macron says any resolution of the Ukraine crisis may "take time."

Moscow is growing weary of the West threatening its borders and the false accusations against Russia, from invading Ukraine to planning a false flag to do so, as diplomacy falters the prospect of an armed conflict is becoming very real.

US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland claims that Washington has prepared 18 response scenarios to confront alleged Russian plans to “invade” Ukraine.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said there was progress in some aspects at the very least “and not everything is hopeless.”

Two other landing ships are expected to transit the strait of Bosphorus, too.

An American journalist tells Press TV that the US President Joe Biden administration’s “bellicose” rhetoric against Russia risks inflaming tensions in eastern Ukraine.