Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has accused the United States of being determined to “wage a war to the last Ukrainian” following reports that Washington plans to provide more weapons to Ukraine. Peskov made these remarks in response to questions from reporters on Wednesday. He further claimed that the additional aid would not change the course of the conflict.
“We have often heard statements that [the United States] is going to continue helping Kiev as long as it is necessary,” Peskov stated.
According to the Kremlin spokesman, this means that Washington intends to “further keep Ukraine effectively at war and wage this war to the last Ukrainian, sparing no expense.” He also highlighted that the supply of American military equipment would not alter Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
The remarks from Peskov followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s unannounced two-day visit to Ukraine. This trip marks the first such visit since the beginning of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in early June. Upon his arrival in Kiev, Blinken emphasized the US commitment to supporting Ukraine’s counteroffensive and ensuring its long-term success.
“We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs not only to succeed on the counteroffensive, but also in the long term,” Blinken said.
Additionally, a State Department official stated that Secretary of State Blinken would likely announce a new $1 billion assistance package during his visit, as reported by Reuters.
In response to these developments, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Kiev had suffered significant losses during its summer campaign, with over 66,000 troops killed and more than 7,600 heavy weapons destroyed.
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin declared that Kiev’s attempts to breach Russian defenses had been unsuccessful during his talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on Monday.
It is worth noting that there has been growing opposition among US lawmakers regarding the continuation of military assistance for Ukraine at current levels, as well as calls for more oversight. Last month, US President Joe Biden requested Congress to authorize an additional $24 billion in spending for Ukraine.
In conclusion, the Kremlin spokesperson’s comments criticizing the US for planning to provide more weapons to Ukraine reflect the ongoing tensions between Russia and the United States over the conflict in Ukraine. Despite the aid, both sides seem committed to their respective positions, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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