Russia has sent an official diplomatic note to the Biden administration warning the United States not to arm Ukraine, two officials told CBS News.
The note, sent to the State Department, reveals Moscow’s irritation at President Biden’s decision to continue approving arms transfers as the conflict moves to eastern Ukraine. He uses the same type of language that Russia has used for some time to oppose Western efforts to support the Ukrainian military against invading Russian forces.
Earlier, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the strategy as part of a plan to increase Kyiv’s influence at the negotiating table, in a bid to eventually end the conflict through negotiations. The Washington Post first reported on a diplomatic note from Russia to the United States, quoting Russian officials as saying arms supplies could have “unpredictable consequences.”
The note comes as President Biden approved this week an expansion of the type of military aid the United States provides to Ukraine, including $ 800 million in weapons, including artillery such as medium-range howitzers, which could be useful in this next phase of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The United States increases military aid to Ukraine 02:33
“We will not confirm any private diplomatic correspondence,” the State Department said in a statement to CBS News. “What we can confirm is that, together with allies and partners, we are providing billions of dollars in security aid to Ukraine, which our Ukrainian partners are using as a tremendous effect to defend their country against unprovoked Russian aggression and horrific acts of violence. “
The United States has provided a total of $ 2 billion in military aid to Ukraine since President Biden took office, according to the White House. The latest round of aid this week includes 800 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and 2,000 Javelins and 155-mm howitzers, an improvement in Ukraine’s long-range artillery that will help them face Russia. Last month, Congress approved $ 13 billion in security aid to Ukraine, which the White House could continue to use to redistribute aid.
“You know, we will not be able to advertise every part of the security we provide because our allies and partners are supplying Ukraine through us, but modern weapons and ammunition are coming every day,” Mr Biden said in a speech last week. the Legislative Conference of Building Unions in North America.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in an interview with CNN on Friday that the world must be prepared for the possibility of Russian President Vladimir Putin using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Russia has been at war in Ukraine for 50 days.
A senior defense official confirmed that the Russian cruiser Moscow, which sank in the Black Sea, had been hit by two Neptune anti-ship missiles fired by Ukrainians. The sinking of the flagship is significant for Ukraine.
– David Martin contributed to this report.
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Margaret Brennan is the moderator of CBS News’s “The The Nation” and a senior CBS News correspondent for foreign affairs based in Washington, DC
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