Moscow checking reports of US ammunition supplies from Israel to Ukraine — ambassador
Anatoly Viktorov said that Russia is mindful of Israel's concerns regarding security
MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. Russia is looking into the reports of US ammunition deliveries from Israel to Ukraine and will reach out to Israel to discuss the issue, Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov said on Thursday.
He made the statement during a discussion titled "The New Israeli Cabinet: Where the Political Pendulum will Swing?" that was organized by the Valdai Club.
"As for ammunition deliveries, the New York Times has released a story the other day - I now treat with less interest the stories that are published by this once much-respected newspaper as it’s getting to resemble a tabloid a bit - a story about the supplies of US artillery rounds from the territory of Israel to Ukraine. We are looking into this issue and will reach out to our Israeli counterparts through our channels to discuss the subject," the diplomat said.
"All these reports by the New York Times contain just a fraction of the truth. I’m sure the truth there is mixed with a half-truth and the misrepresentation of facts," the ambassador continued.
Viktorov said that Russia is mindful of Israel's concerns regarding security.
"We are very mindful of all Israeli concerns in the area of security, not just now, but over many years. And, of course, we expect reciprocity in this regard from our Israeli partners," he said.
The New York Times earlier reported, citing US and Israeli officials, that the US reached an agreement with Israel last year to supply to Ukraine 155-mm artillery rounds from US inventories based in Israel. The deal is for the supply of 300,000 rounds, with half of them already moved to Europe and expected to be shipped to Ukraine via Poland, according to the report.