Russian ambassador warns that supplying weapons and sending mercenaries to Ukraine is a 'threat to global security'

“Providing large quantities of weapons to the Kiev government and sending mercenaries into Ukrainian territory are extremely irresponsible and dangerous actions. The militarization of Ukraine directly threatens the security of Europe as well as the whole world,” TASS news agency quoted Mr. Antonov as saying today (March 23).

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov. Photo: Wikipedia

“A significant part of the weapons supplied to Ukraine bywesthave fallen into the hands of bandits, extremists, terrorists or criminals. As for the fighters from all over the world who come to Europe, they can apply the combat experience in Ukraine anywhere. NATO member states have clearly forgotten that the US had to collect its own man-portable air defense systems throughout the Middle and Near East in the 1980s,” Antonov added.

“And now, in order to pursue financial interests, the defense industrial complex has completely lost its ethical principles and is ready to make money on the blood of civilians,” the Russian Ambassador to the US emphasized.

According to TASS news agency, Mr. Antonov's comments were made just a week after US President Joe Biden announced an $800 million military aid package for Ukraine, including air defense systems, Switchblade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles...

“This package includes 9,000 anti-tank weapons systems, including 2,000 Javelins, 6,000 AT-4 shoulder-fired grenade launchers, and 1,000 other weapons. These high-precision shoulder-fired weapons have been used effectively by the Ukrainian military against enemy mechanized equipment. Approximately 7,000 small arms, including machine guns; shotguns; grenade launchers; and 20 million rounds of various types of ammunition, will be provided to Ukraine,” Mr. Biden said at the time.