Russia warns US of ‘unpredictable consequences’ if it gives Ukraine advanced weapons
- Moscow said in a diplomatic note such shipments were ‘adding fuel’ to the situation
- The warning came after Biden pledged a new US$800 million military aid package for Ukraine
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In a diplomatic note this week, Moscow warned Washington and Nato against sending the “most sensitive” weapons for Kyiv to use in the conflict with Russia, saying such shipments were “adding fuel” to the situation and could come with “unpredictable consequences,” The Washington Post reported.
“What the Russians are telling us privately is precisely what we’ve been telling the world publicly – that the massive amount of assistance that we’ve been providing our Ukrainian partners is proving extraordinarily effective,” the Post quoted a senior administration official – who spoke on condition of anonymity about the note – as saying.
The State Department declined to comment on reports of the formal note.
“We won’t confirm any private diplomatic correspondence,” a State Department spokesperson said.
“What we can confirm is that, along with allies and partners, we are providing Ukraine with billions of dollars’ worth of security assistance, which our Ukrainian partners are using to extraordinary effect to defend their country against Russia’s unprovoked aggression and horrific acts of violence.”
According to The New York Times citing US officials, the note was sent through normal channels, and was not signed by any senior Russian officials.
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Mariupol destruction visible from the air as Ukraine and Russia continue to fight over port city
The formal correspondence indicates Moscow is concerned about Washington’s ongoing material support for Kyiv, an anonymous US official told CNN.
CNN also reported that one source familiar with the document said the complaint could mean Russia is getting ready to adopt a more aggressive stance against the US and Nato as the invasion of Ukraine continues.
“As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the US will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself,” Biden said.
“This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine.”
Zelensky for his part tweeted that he and Biden had discussed the “additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid.”
The new assistance included some of the heavier equipment that Washington had previously refused to provide to Kyiv for fear of escalating the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia, and comes after previous weapons aid already supplied to the Ukrainian army.
