Ukraine's defense minister warns there will be a 'bloody massacre' if Russia invades

US and Western officers have expressed concern over the buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying final week that the US "must prepare for all contingencies."

"So, we have 250,000 official ... members of our army. Plus, I said 400,000 veterans and 200,000 reservists. 175,000 (is) not enough to go to Ukraine," mentioned Reznikov.Reznikov careworn that a Russian invasion -- if it occurs -- would have "disastrous" penalties for the entire of European continent, with an estimated 4 to five million Ukrainians presumably needing to hunt refuge in Europe. Reznikov additionally underlined that Ukraine is a main meals provider to Europe and Africa, provides which he mentioned would be disrupted. The minister mentioned that the Ukrainian military has despatched a request for additional navy tools assist from its allies, together with materials help and coaching for its air drive and navy. "We don't need troops, because I think it's not so fair that American soldiers will die in Ukraine. No, we don't need it," added Reznikov. Ukraine has warned for weeks that Russia is attempting to destabilize the nation forward of any deliberate navy invasion, with NATO mentioning that Russian actions close to the border have been uncommon. Western powers have repeatedly urged Russia towards additional aggressive strikes towards Ukraine.The Kremlin denies it's planning to assault and argues that NATO help for Ukraine -- together with elevated weapons provides and navy coaching -- constitutes a rising risk on Russia's western flank.On the Kremlin's motives, Reznikov instructed CNN he believed the Russia's saber-rattling was aimed toward spreading worry and unrest in Ukraine, and at stopping Ukraine from transferring nearer towards NATO and EU membership.The Kremlin is demanding a authorized dedication that NATO will not be expanded eastwards to incorporate Ukraine and that NATO navy infrastructure, like missile methods, will not be constructed up within the nation. "If we share or spread panic in our country and inside of our society, it will be the gift to the Kremlin, because they trying to do that. Because this gathering of their troops alongside of our border, it's a main goal of them to make destabilization process inside of our country, to stop us in our way. But we go into the NATO ally, we're going to EU," he mentioned.