Kremlin: US military assistance could ’cause unpredictable actions’ by Ukraine
A Kremlin spokesperson on Thursday raised concerns about the U.S. offering military assistance to Ukraine, saying such actions could make the Eastern European country behave unpredictably and “can only be a cause for regret.”
“We believe this could potentially cause unpredictable actions by the Ukrainian side in terms of attempting to resolve the … Ukrainian conflict … by force. This is very dangerous,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Reuters.
Peskov added, “To put it simply, we’re talking about a Ukrainian-American friendship against Russia. That is to say, they’re friends not for themselves, but against Russia. This … can only be a cause for regret.”
During a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Biden reportedly focused much of their discussion on countering Russian aggression.
Before their meeting, the Biden administration announced the U.S. was pledging $60 million in military aid to Ukraine.
“Russia’s buildup along the Ukrainian border has highlighted capability shortfalls in the Ukrainian military’s ability to defend against a Russian incursion,” Biden said in a notification to Congress. “Ukraine’s significant capability gaps must be urgently addressed to reinforce deterrence in light of the current Russian threat.”
Fighting between Moscow-backed separatists and Ukrainian soldiers resumed in March, ending a cease-fire that had been reached last year.
The buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border earlier this year elicited widespread condemnation from NATO partners. In April, the U.S. sent two warships into the Black Sea in apparent response to the heightening tensions at the border, though the Pentagon characterized this measure as a common action.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin similarly affirmed U.S. military support for Ukraine against Russian aggression this week.
“You can count on our continued support in the face of Russian aggression to help Ukraine realize its Euro-Atlantic aspirations in support of a more secure, prosperous and democratic and free Ukraine,” Austin said to Zelensky during a meeting Tuesday.