Kyiv sees Western arms supplies as signal to continue war: Kremlin
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has taken a new turn, with the Kremlin warning that Western arms supplies to Ukraine will be perceived as encouragement to continue the war. This statement comes as the United States, NATO, and the European Union (EU) consider providing military aid to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments during a press briefing, stating that Russia remains open to direct negotiations with Ukraine. However, he also expressed concern that remarks made by European leaders suggest they favor escalating tensions over pursuing peace.
According to Peskov, the recent decisions by Western countries to provide military assistance to Ukraine will likely be seen as a signal to continue the conflict. This, in turn, could prolong the war and lead to further human suffering.
“We believe that Ukraine will perceive these decisions as a signal to continue the war, and it will only lead to more bloodshed, more suffering, and more destruction,” Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman’s comments come as the United States, NATO, and the EU consider providing military aid to Ukraine in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression. In recent weeks, the US and EU have announced plans to provide Ukraine with millions of dollars’ worth of military assistance, including artillery systems, ammunition, and other equipment.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has also indicated that the alliance is prepared to provide additional military aid to Ukraine, citing the need to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The EU has also announced plans to provide Ukraine with military assistance, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stating that the bloc is prepared to provide Ukraine with “whatever it takes” to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Despite these moves, the Kremlin remains committed to a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Peskov reiterated Russia’s willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Ukraine, stating that the country is open to discussing a range of issues, including the status of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
However, Peskov also expressed skepticism about the willingness of Western countries to engage in meaningful diplomacy. He pointed to the recent comments made by European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, as evidence that many Western leaders are more interested in escalating tensions than pursuing peace.
“We see that many European leaders are speaking about the need for Ukraine to be stronger, for Ukraine to be more capable of defending itself,” Peskov said. “But this is not a recipe for peace. This is a recipe for war, and it will only lead to more bloodshed and more suffering.”
The Kremlin’s concerns about Western arms supplies to Ukraine are not unique. Many Russian officials and analysts have expressed similar concerns in recent weeks, warning that the provision of military aid to Ukraine could prolong the conflict and lead to further human suffering.
In recent months, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has intensified, with both sides reporting significant losses. The conflict has also had significant humanitarian implications, with millions of people displaced and thousands of civilians killed or injured.
Despite these challenges, the Kremlin remains committed to a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Peskov reiterated Russia’s willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Ukraine, stating that the country is open to discussing a range of issues, including the status of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
However, the Kremlin’s willingness to negotiate is contingent on Ukraine’s willingness to engage in meaningful diplomacy. Peskov expressed skepticism about the willingness of Western countries to engage in meaningful diplomacy, pointing to the recent comments made by European leaders as evidence that many Western leaders are more interested in escalating tensions than pursuing peace.
In conclusion, the Kremlin’s warning that Western arms supplies to Ukraine will be perceived as encouragement to continue the war highlights the complex and challenging nature of the conflict. While the Kremlin remains committed to a peaceful resolution, it is clear that the provision of military aid to Ukraine is likely to prolong the conflict and lead to further human suffering.
