Russia warns Türkiye and US over relations amid Ukraine arms deal
Russia's Foreign Ministry has demanded explanations from Türkiye and the US regarding planned large-scale arms deliveries to Ukraine, warning of serious harm to bilateral ties.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow has asked Türkiye and the United States to clarify their plans for large-scale weapons deliveries to Ukraine, according to Kremlin-aligned agency TASS.
Zakharova stated that the circumstances and terms surrounding the planned transfer of American weapons to Ukraine via Türkiye remain a contentious issue. She warned that any new arms supplies to Ukraine would seriously damage Russia's relations with both Washington and Ankara.
She further claimed that the US and Türkiye's attempts to combine peace-oriented rhetoric with continued weapons deliveries to Ukraine are inevitably eroding mutual trust between the countries.
Background
On 8 August, Ukraine agreed to purchase 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles from Türkiye, together with 12 M270 multiple-launch rocket systems capable of firing both GMLRS and ATACMS munitions, plus tens of thousands of cluster munitions. Deliveries are expected to begin as soon as the legally required 15-day congressional review period ends.
The US State Department submitted the necessary documentation to lawmakers on 3 August, telling Congress it is prepared to approve the transfer since it supports US security assistance goals.
