Moscow has asked Washington and Ankara for clarification regarding reports of an intention to transfer weapons to Kiev. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.
The circulated commentary emphasizes that it is not only about the casualties and destruction that the Kiev authorities seek to expand, but also about significant damage to Russia's bilateral relations with the United States and Turkey. Attempts to hide behind peacekeeping rhetoric while supplying weapons to Ukrainian Nazis inevitably undermine mutual trust.
Zakharova noted that the details and conditions of the transfer remain unclear: it is unknown who initiated the re-export of a large batch of lethal weapons, as well as how and in what time frame its delivery to the Ukrainian side is planned.
Last weekend, the U.S. Congress published documents according to which the transfer of American weapons from Turkish arsenals to Kiev is expected. The list includes, in particular, 12 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems and 70 ATACMS ballistic missiles.
The materials indicate that Turkey officially intends to modernize its army by getting rid of outdated systems. The transfer is planned through private companies: Turkish MKE, ASFAT and ARCA Savunma, Bulgarian VTIC International Ltd., as well as American Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group.
The review period for the document is two weeks, but both the House of Representatives and the Senate are on summer recess. At the same time, a separate vote is not required: the document will enter into force automatically if legislators do not adopt a joint resolution to block it.
Source: RIA Novosti