Russia blames U.S. for security crises and turmoil in Ukraine

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) and Governor of Moscow Region Andrei Vorobyov watch the Tank Biathlon world championship in Alabino outside Moscow August 4, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Top Russian officials accused the United States on Thursday of seeking political and military dominance and sought to put blame on the West for international security crises, including the conflict in east Ukraine.

Evoking Cold War-style rhetoric, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said a drive by the United States and its allies to bring Kiev closer to the West was a threat to Moscow and had forced it to react.