In response to news reports that the United States plans to send long-range missile systems to Ukraine, a senior Russian diplomat called on Saturday for “an end to the senseless and extremely risky introduction of weapons into the country.”
On Friday, news outlets reported that the Biden administration was expected to send a multiple rocket launcher (MLRS) to the Eastern European nation. Ukrainian authorities have called for weapons to attack Russians over long distances and threaten Russian logistics centers and routes to delay their offensive in the Donbass region.
In a statement to the Telegram on Saturday, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said the Biden administration “could give Kyiv HIMARS MLRS and M270 MLRS, which will be equipped with M31 GMLRS guided missiles.”
“There is a risk that such equipment will be placed near Russia’s borders and that Ukrainians will be able to strike at Russian cities. Such a situation is unacceptable and intolerable for us,” he said, according to Ukrainskaya Pravda.
On Saturday, a senior Russian diplomat called for “an end to the senseless and extremely risky introduction of weapons into” Ukraine on Saturday amid reports that the United States will send a missile system to the country. Above, a boy stands in front of a damaged building after a strike in Kramatorsk in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass, on May 25. Aris Messinis
In an interview this week, Alexander Merezhko, chairman of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, told Newsweek that Russia “is now using artillery extensively and ruthlessly.”
“To counter this, to save the lives of our servicemen and civilians, we need an MLRS,” he added.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the Biden administration is expected to announce its decision to send weapons to Ukraine next week. Asked if a decision had been made on the missile systems, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Friday that officials were “still working on what the next withdrawal package will look like.”
In response to a request for comment on Saturday, the US Department of Defense referred Newsweek to the comments made by Kirby at Friday’s press conference.
When a reporter asked about the MLRS weapons, Kirby said: “Of course, we are aware and aware of Ukraine’s demands, privately and publicly, for what is known as a volley missile system.”
“I will not overtake the decisions. I have never done this since we started making these withdrawal packages, but I can assure you that we are in constant communication with them and we are still committed to helping them succeed on the battlefield and succeed specifically in battle, in which they are located, “he added.
Antonov said on Saturday that Russia hoped “common sense would prevail and Washington would not take such a provocative step.”
“We call for an end to the senseless and extremely risky introduction of weapons into the country. It is important to refrain from threats against us and allegations of military victory in Ukraine,” the ambassador said, according to Ukrainka Pravda.
Meanwhile, a presenter on a Kremlin propaganda television channel recently warned that the United States would face a “harsh response” if it supplied long-range missile systems to Ukraine.
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