Russia warns of US 'bloody gift' to Ukraine

Nga cảnh báo món quà đẫm máu của Mỹ cho Ukraine - 1 — Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov (Photo: Getty).

In a post on social media today, December 28, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov described the latest US military aid package as "a bloody New Year's gift to Kiev".

Mr. Antonov accused the US of pushing Ukraine "into the abyss, causing thousands of Ukrainian civilians to die."

Any weapons supplied to Ukraine by NATO countries will be "burned and destroyed" and will not change the situation on the ground, the Russian diplomat warned.

Mr Antonov also highlighted Russia's recent success in taking control of the city of Marinka in Donetsk, a strategic stronghold in Ukraine.

According to Mr. Antonov, the US tends to ignore such developments, focusing instead on highlighting “Ukrainian victories.”

The US government on December 27 announced a $250 million arms package for Ukraine, the last aid package in Washington's available funds.

The new aid package includes "air defense ammunition, other air defense system components, additional ammunition for the high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, anti-armor ammunition and more than 15 million rounds of infantry ammunition."

President Joe Biden has made supporting Kiev a priority, as US arms and financial support have played a key role in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. Biden has warned that Russia could attack the NATO member after resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

Despite President Biden’s pleas, right-wing Republicans have been reluctant to provide aid, refusing to approve new aid to Ukraine unless Democrats agree to tighten the process for curbing illegal immigration across the southern border of the United States.

A week ago, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the upcoming US military aid would be the last because the White House would run out of funds it could use for Ukraine.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that if the West stops providing aid, Ukraine will lose its ability to deter the Russian military. ISW said that Western security assistance has helped Ukraine repel Russian attacks and regain some territory.

The United States and its allies have continuously provided military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russia launched a special military operation in February 2022. However, the prolonged fighting while Ukraine's counter-offensive failed to achieve a breakthrough, along with political turmoil, has caused the West's readiness to provide aid to gradually decrease.

Western media recently also published opinions that US officials and allies seem to have begun to consider the scenario that Russia could win in Ukraine.

The Biden administration is reportedly working to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine as a proposed aid package stalls in Congress.

The US is pressuring Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan to find a way to legalize the use of frozen Russian assets before February 24, 2024, exactly two years since Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine.

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