Russian President Vladimir Putin’s allegation that Ukraine is committing “genocide” against ethnic Russians belies his purported interest in a diplomatic resolution to the looming threat of war in Europe, according to senior Senate Democrats.

“There is no genocide in the Donbas. Those are all pretextual [allegations],” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, told the Washington Examiner. “He’s looking to create a reason for his actions, but there is no reason for his actions.”