Russia criticizes Turkish-American arms deal with Ukraine

Moscow reacted with clear anger to a Turkish-American arms deal for Ukraine. This will only “delay the end of the Kiev regime,” said Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The authorities in the USA and Turkey had thus “opened another Pandora’s box,” she was quoted as saying by the state agency Tass.

“According to the documents recently published by the US Congress, this could be a significant arsenal, including offensive weapons,” Zakharova criticized on the online service Telegram.

Almost a week ago, a communication from the US State Department to Congress revealed a major arms purchase by Ukraine in Turkey. Kiev bought a larger package of US-made artillery weapons, which also includes 70 ATACMS rockets.

The deal - which exclusively includes older-style weapons - also includes 12 M270 multiple rocket launchers, more than 2,500 227 mm caliber artillery rockets with cluster munitions and 47,000 203 mm artillery grenades with cluster munitions. “It remains unclear who initiated this project to re-export weapons, how the transport will take place and when this large shipment of deadly goods will be sent to the recipients in Kiev,” Zakharova complained. “What were the parties involved in this deal – namely the USA and Turkey – thinking?”

Zakharova tried to exude self-confidence in her statement. “Filling the Zelensky junta with weapons will in no way significantly influence the course of the special military operation or even deviate it from the legitimate scenario pursued by Russia,” she commented.

The US government supports the deal worth 283 million US dollars (245 million euros). It is considered approved if the US Senate and House of Representatives do not object within 30 days.

According to Kiev's findings, the Russian armed forces have recently strengthened themselves with ballistic missiles from North Korea. At least two of these missiles have already been used against Ukraine.