The Kremlin said that nothing good would come from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington on Wednesday and that Russia saw no chance of peace talks with Kyiv.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that continued Western arms supplies to Ukraine would lead to a “deepening” of the conflict – something which could backfire on Kyiv, he warned.
“The supply of weapons continues and the range of supplied weapons is expanding. All of this, of course, leads to an aggravation of the conflict. This does not bode well for Ukraine,” Peskov said.
Zelenskiy was due to meet US President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders on Wednesday in his first foreign trip since Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into his country on February 24.
Asked whether Moscow had any expectations that something positive could come from Zelenskyy’s trip, Peskov answered: “No”.
During his visit, the United States is also set to approve the delivery of advanced Patriot missile systems to Ukraine as part of the latest multi-billion dollar package of military support for Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Russia is planning to establish bases to support its fleet in two port cities in southern Ukraine that Moscow seized during its offensive, defense minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
“The ports in Berdyansk and Mariupol are fully functioning. We plan to deploy there bases for support vessels, emergency rescue services and ship repair units of the navy,” Shoigu said in a report during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s top military officials.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia will continue developing its military potential and the combat readiness of nuclear forces against the backdrop of Moscow’s offensive in Western-backed Ukraine.
“The armed forces and combat capabilities of our armed forces are increasing constantly and every day. And this process, of course, we will build up on,” Putin said during a televised meeting with his country’s high-ranking officers.
He added that Russia will also “improve the combat readiness of our nuclear triad.”
The Russian leader highlighted the new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, which Russian troops will be able to use beginning January.
Alarabiya News