The Russian presidency on Wednesday believed that new arms transfers to Ukraine by the United States will “exacerbate” the conflict with Russia, a position it took on the day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected in Washington.
“This will certainly lead to an escalation of the conflict and does not bode well for Ukraine,” said Kremlin (Russian Presidency) spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The spokesman also said he did not expect any change in Zelensky’s stance on his refusal to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin following this visit to the United States, his first trip abroad since the outbreak of war in Ukraine on February 24 this year. . .
US policymakers said on Monday the White House had decided to send new military aid to Ukraine that, in addition to Patriot missiles (delivered for the first time), will include precision bombs for fighter jets.
According to the AP news agency, the package will consist of about $1 billion (942 million euros) in weapons from the “stockpiles” of the Pentagon (US Department of Defense) and an additional $800 million (753 million euros) in financing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials in the country have been pressuring Western leaders to provide Ukraine with more advanced weapons, including Patriot missiles, an advanced surface-to-air missile system that will help fend off Russian airstrikes.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has already warned that handing over the system would be considered a provocation and that the patriots and any crews accompanying them would be seen as legitimate targets for the Moscow army.
The United States is expected to announce all new aid measures during the Ukrainian president’s trip to Washington, who arrives in the US federal capital today.
Zelensky will be welcomed by his American counterpart, Joe Biden, and will address the US Congress, the White House announced.
According to a statement from the Ukrainian presidency, Zelensky will discuss with Biden “the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, in particular with regard to strengthening Ukraine’s resistance and defense capacity, supporting its sovereignty and restoring territorial integrity “.
For Washington, bolstering support for Ukraine does not mean going straight to war with Russia.
Source: DN
