John Kerry Says US Not Seeking Confrontation With Russia

US Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States does not want confrontation with Russia and looks for a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

KIEV (Sputnik) – The United States is not seeking confrontation with Russia and wants a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday.

“We are not seeking conflict with Russia, no one is: not President Poroshenko, not the United States, not the European Community,” he said. “We want a diplomatic resolution.”

Kerry stated that the United States cannot "turn a blind eye" to Russia's alleged support of one of the warring sides in the Ukrainian conflict.

John Kerry is visiting the Ukrainian capital to meet with the country's officials Thursday, prior to vising Munich and participating in the 51st Munich Security Conference.

Kiev launched a military operation in eastern Ukraine last spring, following local residents" refusal to recognize the new coup-installed government. Ukrainian armed forces and the independence supporters managed to reach a ceasefire agreement, yet the clashes continue in the region. The confrontation intensified in the first month of 2015, with dozens of civilians losing their lives in the armed conflict.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine's east the US and its allies have accused Russia of backing independence supporters, including providing military assistance. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims.

The United Nations estimates that over 5,000 have been killed in the fighting, while some 1.4 million residents of southeastern Ukraine desperately need humanitarian assistance.