Kremlin says US ‘adding fuel to fire’ in Ukraine with missile launcher shipment

The Kremlin is accusing Washington of “adding fuel to the fire” by planning to supply Ukraine with advanced missile systems.

“We believe that the United States is adding fuel to the fire deliberately and on purpose,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells reporters.

“Such supplies” do not encourage Kyiv to resume peace talks, Peskov says, adding that Washington wanted to “fight Russia to the last Ukrainian.”

Yesterday, Washington said it would be supplying Ukraine with advanced missile systems, including the Himars multiple-launch rocket system that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the planned delivery of these new US weapons to Ukraine increased the risk of drawing the United States into direct conflict with Russia.

“Any arms supplies that continue, are on the rise, increase the risks of such a development,” Ryabkov was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA Novosti.