VIENNA, July 5 The transfer of ATACMS operational-tactical missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers to Kiev will be evidence of the absolute unpreparedness of the United States for a diplomatic settlement, this will require a principled assessment of Russia, the head said Russian delegation at the talks in Vienna on issues of military security and arms control Konstantin Gavrilov.
According to the diplomat, the Russian side is aware that in the face of Kyiv's military failures, the Americans are seriously considering the possibility of transferring ATACMS operational-tactical missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers, capable of hitting targets deep in Russian territory.
«If the White House nevertheless goes crazy and confirms the appropriate decision at the upcoming NATO summit, this will become the most eloquent evidence of the US's absolute unpreparedness for a diplomatic settlement, which will require a principled assessment of the Russian Federation,» Gavrilov said on Wednesday at the 1051st plenary meeting of the Forum OSCE for Security Co-operation (FSC).
Earlier, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley said that there is no decision yet to transfer ATACMS tactical missiles, F-16 fighter jets or cluster munitions to Ukraine, but such a possibility is being considered.
The Wall Street Journal claimed that US authorities were close to authorizing the delivery of ATACMS missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers. Later, CNN reported, citing unnamed officials, that the White House should soon decide on the transfer of cluster munitions to Kiev, if approved, they could be included in a new package of military assistance to Ukraine in July.
Russia previously sent a note to NATO countries due to the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. The Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation stated that the NATO countries are «playing with fire» by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West does not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative effect. Lavrov stated that the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine, «including not only the supply of weapons, but also the training of personnel … in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries.»