The Pentagon allowed a direct confrontation between the United States and Russia over Ukraine

The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine may lead to a direct military clash between the United States and Russia. This was announced on May 13 by the head of the Northern Command of the United States Armed Forces, General Gregory Guillot.

In his report to the congressional hearings, he expressed the opinion that the chance of a direct confrontation is getting higher.

"The likelihood of a direct conflict between the United States and one of its key rivals is increasing," Guillot said, as quoted by TASS.

He suggested that there is a scenario in the Ukrainian conflict in which escalation will lead to a direct confrontation between the United States and Russia.

According to the head of the Northern Command of the US Armed Forces, such states include not only Russia, but also China, North Korea and Iran. Guillot argues that a number of these countries could allegedly challenge Washington amid confidence in the decline of the West.

Istanbul 2.0: what is known about possible negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on May 15

Information about the meeting level was not disclosed.

Earlier in the day, the US President's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said that the United States would impose "crushing" sanctions on Russia in the absence of progress at the upcoming talks in Istanbul on May 15 to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. According to the American diplomat, potential sanctions will affect the Central Bank of Russia and the transit of Russian oil.

On May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was offering Ukraine to resume direct talks in Istanbul on May 15. US President Donald Trump called on Kiev to accept the Russian proposal immediately.