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Military operation in Ukraine

US obsessed with idea of dealing strategic blow to Russia, says envoy

The United States does not think that by such actions they are adding fuel and provoking the expansion of the geography of the Ukrainian crisis, Anatoly Antonov said

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov Sergei Bobylev/TASS

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

WASHINGTON, March 21. /TASS/. The United States has been causing the geography of the Ukrainian crisis to expand and it turns a blind eye to the corrupt Kiev regime, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said on Monday.

Commenting on a new $350 million package of US military aid for Ukraine, he said, "Washington is obsessed with the idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on our country. With its steps, the [US] administration is only pushing the Ukrainian radicals toward new terrible deeds," the embassy quoted Antonov as saying.

According to the Russian envoy, "with each delivery of military equipment, the [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky regime feels more and more impunity. It continues to kill civilians in the Donbass, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions of Russia with pure cynicism," the head of the Russian diplomatic mission underscored.

"The United States does not think that by such actions they are adding fuel and provoking the expansion of the geography of the Ukrainian crisis. This policy jeopardizes the security of all of Europe, increasing the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO," Antonov warned. Washington "turns a blind eye to the corruption of the Ukrainian elite. We have serious concerns that some of the defense products may end up on the black market," he added. "Where will weapons pop up? Who will bear responsibility when it falls into the hands of some terrorist groups and criminal organizations?" he asked rhetorically.

Antonov urged the US leadership to stop fueling the conflict in Ukraine. "And even more so - to refrain from public statements about the expediency or inexpediency of entering into negotiations. In the end - it's not up to Washington to decide," he concluded.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new military assistance package for Ukraine that, among other weapons, would include ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, and riverine boats. In all, during Joe Biden’s presidency, Washington has given more than $33.2 billion worth of military assistance to Kiev.

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Foreign policy Ukraine United States Anatoly Antonov Military operation in Ukraine

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