Russia Fears New Missiles for Ukraine, Threatens US and Turkey

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that potential deliveries of American weapons to Ukraine via Turkey could complicate Moscow's relations with Washington and Ankara. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova sent inquiries to the US and Turkey, calling the delivery conditions contradictory. Earlier, reports emerged of Ukraine purchasing 70 ATACMS missiles and 12 M270 MLRS systems. Turkey is also reducing its purchases of Russian oil.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that a possible expansion of American arms deliveries to Ukraine through Turkey could seriously complicate Moscow's relations with Washington and Ankara. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, as quoted by TASS. According to Zakharova, the Russian side sent inquiries to the US and Turkey, demanding clarification of plans regarding the possible transfer of a significant amount of American weapons to Ukraine via Turkish territory. The Russian diplomatic official called the conditions and circumstances of the alleged deliveries contradictory. In her view, such actions could negatively affect the level of trust between Russia, the US, and Turkey. Zakharova also claimed that Kyiv receiving new weapons would allegedly not change the situation on the front, and accused Washington and Ankara of contradictory policies: on one hand, they advocate diplomatic resolution, and on the other, they continue to provide military support to Ukraine. Earlier, information emerged that Ukraine purchased a large batch of American weapons from Turkey: 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles, 12 M270 MLRS launchers, and tens of thousands of cluster munitions. However, the transfer requires US permission, and final implementation depends on Congressional approval. Against this backdrop, Turkey is reducing its purchases of Russian oil: in July it received about 900,000 tons, while a month earlier it was approximately 1.2 million tons.