It was reflected in the minutes of the US Congress two weeks ago that Turkey requested resale permission from the USA to sell a heavy ammunition package, including ballistic missiles, to Ukraine. Russia made a statement on the issue for the first time.
'WHAT WAS GOING ON THEIR MIND?'
The previous day, the answer given by Russian Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mariya Zaharova to a question on the subject was shared on the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zakharova said, "What stands out are all the existing contradictions and uncertainties regarding the terms and conditions of a lethal product shipment of this scale. It is not yet clear who initiated this project for the re-export of weapons, how the shipment will be carried out and when this huge lethal cargo will be delivered to its buyers in Kiev. Finally, what is in the minds of the relevant parties, namely the United States and Turkey, who decided to open a new Pandora's box at the expense of prolonging the moribund period of the Bandera regime and causing more casualties?" "Moreover, the countries in question are countries that aim to play a special role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis and have declared finding a political and diplomatic solution as their priority," he said.
'WE DEMANDED EXPLANATION'
Zakharova argued that the delivery would not divert Russia from its goals, but would magnify the damage caused by the war. "This is not only a matter of victims, destruction and Kiev's determination to cause damage on a larger scale, but also a heavy blow to Russia's bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara. Considering that the Turkish authorities have repeatedly assured Kiev of refraining from the delivery of lethal weapons, attempts to benefit from a peaceful discourse when supplying weapons to the Ukrainian Nazis inevitably undermine mutual trust." "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested explanations from Washington and Ankara in line with the information released by the US Congress." Zakharova called for the sale to be stopped, saying, "There is still time to approach this whole situation with common sense."
FOREIGN AFFAIRS IS QUIET
While foreign policy experts interpreted this statement as a harsh statement, Russian Ria Novosti media asked Turkish Presidency sources, "Has such an explanation been requested from Russia?" he asked. “We do not have any information about this,” sources said. Cumhuriyet, on the other hand, asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "How do you evaluate Russia's statement?" and “Will you respond to a request for clarification?” asked questions. However, there were no answers to these questions.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Turkey had requested permission from the USA, the main manufacturer of the products, to sell 12 M270 MLRS multiple barrel rocket launcher systems, 2 thousand 524 M26 DPICM unguided dual-purpose advanced conventional ammunition rockets, 47 thousand M509A1 203 millimeter dual-purpose advanced conventional howitzer ammunition and 70 M39 ATACMS army tactical ballistic missile systems to Ukraine. Following the request reflected in the US Congressional minutes dated August 6, defense and foreign policy analysts evaluated the "end of Turkey's balance policy" and "strategic alignment with the West". Congress has until August 21 to object to the sale, which aims to defend Ukraine more strongly against Russian invasion.
