Russia has sent a formal warning to the United States not to send more weapons to Ukraine, otherwise it could face “unpredictable consequences,” it said.
According to the Washington Post, Moscow sent a diplomatic note, a démarche, warning that US and NATO supplies of “most sensitive” weapons systems to Ukraine “fuel” the conflict there and could lead to “unpredictable consequences.”
A spokesman said the State Department had not confirmed any diplomatic correspondence as a matter of course and made it clear that the United States would continue to send weapons to Ukraine.
“What we can confirm is that, together with our allies and partners, we are providing billions of dollars in security aid to Ukraine, which our Ukrainian partners are using as an outstanding effect to protect their country from unprovoked Russian aggression and horrific acts of violence, “the spokesman said.
The Russian embassy in Ukraine did not respond to a request for comment.
The United States is preparing to send the last tranche of $ 800 million (£ 610 million) in military aid to Ukraine, for a total of $ 2.6 billion since the start of the war. The Biden administration has also made it clear that it is sending increasingly heavy and sophisticated equipment, including helicopters, air and sea drones and long-range 155-millimeter howitzers, as it trains Ukrainian troops in their use.
The United States is also sending additional anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles of the type that have contributed to Ukraine’s military efforts so far. Ukrainians say they sank the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s flagship Moscow on Thursday with Neptune missiles developed in Ukraine. The United Kingdom has promised to send more anti-ship missiles to replenish supplies. Military experts believe that Ukraine’s anti-ship missile systems are what have so far deterred Russia from attempting to land around Odessa.
It is unclear whether Moscow has sent such diplomatic notes to European countries. On Thursday, German Deputy Chancellor Robert Habek appears to have backed down his demands earlier in the week for the Ukrainian army to be supplied as soon as possible.
Habek cites concerns about Russian repression. “Heavy weapons are synonymous with tanks, and all NATO countries have so far ruled this out so that they do not become targets themselves,” he told Politico.
However, the Czech Republic has already sent T-72 tanks and chain armored personnel carriers, while the United States is sending helicopters and howitzers.
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