Russia says US, NATO weapons shipments to Ukraine may result in ‘unpredictable penalties’, Washington Submit reviews.
Russia has warned the US of “unpredictable penalties” ought to US President Joe Biden’s administration proceed to switch weapons to Ukraine, The Washington Submit reported.
The Submit mentioned on Friday that it had reviewed a duplicate of a diplomatic word that Russia despatched the US this week, which warned that US and NATO shipments of the “most delicate” weapons programs to Ukraine may convey “unpredictable penalties”.
“We name on the US and its allies to cease the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine, which means unpredictable penalties for regional and worldwide safety,” mentioned the word, which was dated Tuesday.
The shipments have been “including gasoline” to the battle, the word additionally mentioned, in response to the newspaper.
The report comes days after the Biden administration introduced an extra $800m in army help to Ukraine, which has been preventing Russian forces since Moscow launched its invasion of the nation on February 24.
The army assist package deal included artillery programs, artillery rounds, armoured personnel carriers and helicopters – and introduced the overall tally of US assist to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion started to greater than $2.4bn.
“This new package deal of help will include lots of the extremely efficient weapons programs now we have already supplied and new capabilities tailor-made to the broader assault we anticipate Russia to launch in japanese Ukraine,” Biden mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday.
“The regular provide of weapons the US and its Allies and companions have supplied to Ukraine has been vital in sustaining its battle in opposition to the Russian invasion.”
Among the new gear would require coaching for Ukrainian forces, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby advised reporters, together with the 155mm howitzer cannon. That is the primary time Washington will ship the cannon to Ukraine.
“The programs that can in all probability require some further coaching for Ukrainian forces are the howitzers [and] … the counter artillery radar, not a really tough system to function, nevertheless it’s not one which they’ve of their stock,” Kirby mentioned on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, mentioned “Biden has been persistent and constant in insisting that any US army assist being despatched to Ukraine is for defensive functions, to assist the Ukrainians defend themselves in opposition to Russian aggression”.
“There are some who may make the argument that these may all be utilized in an offensive capability, and that actually appears to be one thing that considerations the Russians,” Fisher mentioned.
Citing two unidentified officers, the New York Occasions and CBS Information additionally reported on Friday that Moscow had warned Washington in opposition to additional weapons shipments to Kyiv. CBS mentioned the word was despatched to the US Division of State, which mentioned it couldn’t “affirm any non-public diplomatic correspondence”.
“What we are able to affirm is that, together with allies and companions, we’re offering Ukraine with billions of {dollars} price of safety help, which our Ukrainian companions are utilizing to extraordinary impact to defend their nation in opposition to Russia’s unprovoked aggression and horrific acts of violence,” the division mentioned in an announcement to CBS.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has referred to as for extra weapons to stave off an anticipated Russian offensive within the nation’s east.
In a current interview with Al Jazeera, Zelenskyy mentioned that ought to Ukrainian forces fall within the japanese Donbas area, “then the danger of a repeated offensive in opposition to Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast [province] is nearly possible.”