Russia says Western support for Ukraine means direct involvement in war

"Ukraine is being openly pumped with weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking for weapons every day from Germany, Israel and criticizing Israel for not providing Ukraine with the amount of weapons that Kiev requested. They are providing intelligence and satellite data," said Mr. Lavrov.

Multiple launch rocket systems of the Ukrainian army in the Donbass region. Photo: AFP

"What is this if not direct participation in supplying lethal weapons and participating in this war?", the Russian Foreign Minister asked. He said: "If Western countries do not recognize themselves as a party to the conflict, they must comply with international conventions that regulate the responsibilities of neutral countries."

The Russian Foreign Minister commented that the US is considering "the current situation in Ukraine as a test to assess its ability to maintain its hegemony".

Foreign Minister Lavrov also said that Russia would not abandon contacts with the West but would not make "any preemptive moves".

"Dialogue is always better than no dialogue at all. But in this situation, Russia will not make any first move," Lavrov said.

He stressed that the policy of the Ukrainian authorities has led to referendums in Donbass and the "liberated" territories./.

Kieu Anh