<p>Ukraine warned Friday that Russia could launch a large-scale attack on the country in late January as tensions soar over an alleged Russian troop build-up near Kiev's borders.</p>.<p>The United States and its allies have for weeks accused Russia of planning an invasion of Ukraine and massing troops along Kiev's borders.</p>.<p>Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since backed separatists fighting Kiev in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has left more than 13,000 dead. Russia denies planning an attack.</p>.<p>"The most likely time to reach readiness for escalation will be the end of January," Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.</p>.<p>Addressing parliament, Reznikov said Ukrainian intelligence was analysing all possible scenarios.</p>.<p>"The possibility of a large-scale escalation from Russia exists," he warned.</p>.<p>The minister said a "winter training period" had started in Russia and that Moscow had already launched exercises near Ukrainian territory.</p>.<p>He estimated that Russia had around 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border, in Moscow-controlled Crimea and in separatist-held areas in eastern Ukraine.</p>.<p>The United States this week said it had "evidence" Russia could be planning an invasion, threatening Moscow with economic sanctions if it attacks. Russia has dismissed the allegations as "hysteria."</p>.<p>Reznikov said escalation was a "likely scenario".</p>.<p>He said Ukraine and its allies should make the cost of a possible attack "unacceptable for the aggressor."</p>.<p>He reiterated that Ukraine was seeking a "political-diplomatic settlement" to the tensions and that it would not carry out "military provocations."</p>.<p>Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of sending troops and arms across the border to support the separatists -- claims Moscow denies.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Ukraine warned Friday that Russia could launch a large-scale attack on the country in late January as tensions soar over an alleged Russian troop build-up near Kiev's borders.</p>.<p>The United States and its allies have for weeks accused Russia of planning an invasion of Ukraine and massing troops along Kiev's borders.</p>.<p>Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since backed separatists fighting Kiev in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has left more than 13,000 dead. Russia denies planning an attack.</p>.<p>"The most likely time to reach readiness for escalation will be the end of January," Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.</p>.<p>Addressing parliament, Reznikov said Ukrainian intelligence was analysing all possible scenarios.</p>.<p>"The possibility of a large-scale escalation from Russia exists," he warned.</p>.<p>The minister said a "winter training period" had started in Russia and that Moscow had already launched exercises near Ukrainian territory.</p>.<p>He estimated that Russia had around 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border, in Moscow-controlled Crimea and in separatist-held areas in eastern Ukraine.</p>.<p>The United States this week said it had "evidence" Russia could be planning an invasion, threatening Moscow with economic sanctions if it attacks. Russia has dismissed the allegations as "hysteria."</p>.<p>Reznikov said escalation was a "likely scenario".</p>.<p>He said Ukraine and its allies should make the cost of a possible attack "unacceptable for the aggressor."</p>.<p>He reiterated that Ukraine was seeking a "political-diplomatic settlement" to the tensions and that it would not carry out "military provocations."</p>.<p>Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of sending troops and arms across the border to support the separatists -- claims Moscow denies.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>