Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The head of the External Policy Office of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following press statement "The U.S. instigating NATO and agents to confrontation with Russia is a serious threat to Europe" on September 13:

Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken groundlessly slandered the cooperation based on mutual benefit and equality between the Russian Federation and other sovereign states, and committed a political provocation terming it a "threat" to Europe.

This clearly shows the U.S. sinister intention to overstate the "security crisis" of European countries and shift the blame for the present Ukrainian situation on to a third party and thus more firmly rally its followers on the anti-Russian front and give "legality" and continuity to its confrontation moves.

The DPRK Foreign Ministry expresses strong regret over the fact that the U.S. top diplomat slandered independent sovereign states while distorting the essence of the Ukrainian situation with extremely irresponsible and improper words, and categorically rejects this.

The U.S. secretary of State is trying to deceive the international community, turning black into white, but such attempt can neither cover up nor deny the fact that the U.S. is the root cause of the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis and its prolongation and instability of the situation in Europe.

It is none other than the U.S. which caused the Ukrainian crisis by inciting the reckless advance of NATO towards the east in disregard of the legitimate security interests of Russia and its territorial integrity, with the wild dream to establish unipolar supremacy.

The U.S. is also the arch criminal as it has systematically handed over to Ukraine such lethal weapons and equipment as Abrams tanks, F-16 fighters and ATACMS long-range missiles in a bid to bring a strategic defeat to Russia, in disregard of the unanimous demand and aspiration of the international community for the early peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian situation, and caused innocent civilian damage and long-term catastrophe.

It is also the U.S. which committed to deploying in Europe long-range missiles targeting Russia and has staged NATO-led war drills against Russia one after another and brought a horrible war to the whole of Europe, revealing its intention to lift a ban for Ukraine on the use of long-range weapons toward the depth area of Russia.

All facts go to prove that the U.S. is a real threat facing Europe and the international community as it is inciting conflict and confrontation, instigating NATO and agents to the confrontation with Russia and fostering the permanent war.

The Ukrainian crisis will never be an opportunity to revive the weakened position of the United States, and the Russian people will surely and triumphantly achieve their just aim.

The international community should not tolerate the reckless acts of the U.S., which is getting frantic with the moves for military confrontation after mortgaging the security of Europe in a bid to realize its hegemonic interests, but should defend the regional peace and stability by its concerted efforts.

We will as ever invariably support the just cause of the Russian people who are striving to defend sovereignty and build a fair and multipolar world, smashing the imperialists' hegemonic policy and high-handed practices. -0-

www.kcna.kp (Juche113.9.13.)