Russia "US Preparing to Allow Attacks on Mainland with Weapons Provided to Ukraine"

Russian Ambassador to the US: "It Feels Like Mockery"
"No Buffer Zone Within Russian Mainland... Will Punish Severely"

Russia has criticized the United States' support for Ukraine, claiming that it is preparing to allow weapons provided by the US to Ukraine to be used for attacks on Russian territory.

According to TASS and RIA Novosti on the 23rd (local time), Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, told reporters in Washington, "They (the US) are essentially laying the groundwork for a decision to remove all existing restrictions at a certain point without deep consideration," making such claims.

Regarding the US position that weapons provided to Ukraine should be used defensively and not for attacks on Russian territory, he said, "It seems like a joke," and criticized, "The current US administration acts like a person extending one hand while holding a dagger behind their back."

Ambassador Antonov also said, "They will use American weapons against us," but added that it is difficult to predict when and where they will be used, mentioning that the unpredictability and lack of trust in the US complicate dialogue with the American side.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also raised suspicions that the US might have intervened in Ukraine's attack on Russia's Kursk Oblast, saying that Ukraine cannot do anything without the approval of its master (the US). He said, "They (Ukraine) simply cannot move a finger without US consent and would not dare to point a machine gun or rifle at us."

Ambassador Antonov emphasized that Russia will respond strongly to attacks on its territory by Ukraine, stating, "I sincerely say that (President Vladimir Putin) has made a decision. I firmly believe that all those responsible for the incident in Kursk will be severely punished." Earlier, President Putin warned on the 12th regarding Ukraine's raid on Russian territory, saying, "The enemy will certainly receive a proper response."

Regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement that the Kursk offensive was launched to create a 'buffer zone' on Russian territory, Ambassador Antonov said, "That is impossible," and added, "There will be no buffer zone on Russian territory."