Russia warns US and Turkey over Ukraine weapon transfer plan

Russia has issued a warning regarding a proposed plan by the United States and Turkey to transfer American-made weapons to Ukraine. The proposal, which involves re-exporting equipment from Turkish stockpiles, was submitted to the U.S. Congress on August 6. Under U.S. law, Congress has 15 days to review the request.

The estimated $280 million weapons package includes 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, 12 M270 multiple launch rocket systems, over 2,500 M26 cluster munitions, and 47,000 203mm cluster artillery shells.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that such actions would “certainly undermine mutual trust” between Moscow and both Washington and Ankara. She noted the contradictions in Turkey’s position, as officials have previously claimed the country would avoid transferring “lethal” weapons to Kyiv. Zakharova characterized the move as opening a “Pandora’s box” that could lead to increased destruction and damage bilateral relations with Russia.