Any cargo of US Patriot missiles to Ukraine might “result in unpredictable penalties” and threaten international safety, the Russian Embassy in Washington mentioned in an announcement Wednesday.
The Biden administration is finalizing plans to ship the superior long-range air protection system to Ukraine to assist counter Moscow’s assaults, in response to US officers cited in a CNN report Tuesday.
“If that is confirmed, we’ll witness one more provocative step by the [Biden] administration, which may result in unpredictable penalties,” the Russian Embassy assertion mentioned.
It added that continued arms deliveries to Ukraine “will solely strengthen the Zelensky regime’s sense of impunity and push it to new crimes in opposition to civilians” in 4 Ukrainian areas that Russia claims to have annexed.
The assertion additionally criticized US assist for Ukraine, saying: “Washington’s technique causes monumental harm not solely to the Russian-American relations, but in addition creates further dangers for international safety.”
Talking earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that any Patriot missiles despatched to Ukraine can be reliable targets for Russian forces, however added that the US plan had not been confirmed.
Russian Overseas Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova mentioned Thursday that Washington’s potential supply would improve the danger of the US navy’s direct involvement within the Ukrainian battle, in response to state information company TASS.
“On December 13, the US introduced its intention to provide Ukraine with a Patriot air protection missile battery. Earlier, many specialists, together with these abroad, questioned the rationality of such a step which might result in an escalation of the battle and improve the danger of straight dragging the US military into fight,” Zakharova mentioned at a briefing in Moscow.
“We wish to reiterate that every one arms provided to Ukraine by the West are reliable navy targets for Russia’s Armed Forces and might be both eradicated or captured as our nation has repeatedly said,” she mentioned.
“Washington continues to strong-arm different NATO nations demanding from them a extra substantial contribution to the militarization of Ukraine,” Zakharova mentioned.
