Moscow criticizes US arms deal to Kyiv via Turkey, calling it prolongation of the conflict

MOSCOW, Aug. 16 (YPA) – Moscow has escalated its rhetoric against military cooperation between Washington and Ankara regarding Ukraine, following the announcement of a new arms deal for Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed Moscow’s displeasure on Saturday, saying that the United States and Turkey had opened “another Pandora’s box” by arming Ukraine with US weapons via Turkey.

TASS quoted Zakharova as saying that the deal would not calm the conflict, but would instead give the Kyiv regime more time to continue and add a new element to the military landscape.

The Russian stance comes days after the US State Department notified Congress of a major arms deal. According to the notification, Ukraine is preparing to purchase a US-made artillery package from Turkey that also includes 70 ATACMS missiles.