Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin has said that the announcement of arms deliveries to Ukraine is a clear attempt to exert additional pressure. Russia will use diplomatic methods to resolve the situation
“We call on our American colleagues with whom we are in dialogue at different levels, including the highest level, not to do anything stupid, to behave prudently, not to use the situation to lead it further and further into a deadlock from which it will be difficult to find a way out. We will use further diplomatic methods on our part”, – Pankin said.
He also noted that the potential deployment of US THAAD anti-missile systems near Kharkiv is blackmail and a provocation directed against Russia.
“Pumping Ukraine with equipment, ammunition, military hardware, including lethal weapons, is an attempt to put additional and probably military and technical pressure on us. Obviously, there is a component of blackmail and pressure here, we understand that”, – the Russian deputy foreign minister said.
Earlier, News Front reported that according to official reports by the Donetsk People’s Republic’s National Front, the situation at the line of contact remains tense and tends to escalate. Ukrainian armed formations continue to withdraw banned weapons to the line of contact, which can be assessed as preparation for offensive actions