Moscow Reacts To New Weapons Sent To Ukraine

The Kremlin has declared that it is “pointless” for Moscow to hold any negotiations with Kiev in light of the decision by the US and its NATO partners to send tanks to Ukraine.

Last week, Germany announced that it will deliver 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv while also allowing other nations that own the Leopards, such as Norway, to supply them.

The United States, which is deploying 31 M1 Abrams tanks, and the United Kingdom, which has committed to sending 14 Challenger tanks, will both contribute heavy armor to Ukraine in addition to the Leopards.

Following the move, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency RIA Novosti in an interview released Monday, January 30 that talks of negotiations are pointless.

“Under the current conditions, when Washington announced the decision to supply tanks, and its vassals, including Ottawa, are competing over who will supply armored vehicles, especially old ones, to Ukraine, and how many of them… it’s pointless to talk,” Ryabkov said, accusing Washington of using Ukraine as a “testing ground” for its weapons.

“We are willing to consider any serious initiatives to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but so far no one has articulated them properly,” he added.

Ryabkov also said Russia and the US will continue negotiations on the exchange of prisoners, but such an ultra-sensitive issue “loves silence,” he said, adding there are few realistic options for an “all for all” prisoner exchange, RIA reported