Russian officials have taken the view that the United States has confirmed its involvement in the war in Ukraine with the Pentagon’s decision to train Ukrainian soldiers in the use of Patriot air defense systems.
Russia’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, has stated that this «decision of the US military department to organize a training course in Oklahoma is another confirmation of Washington’s de facto involvement in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Nazi criminals in Kiev.»
Antonov explained that experts in the US media are «openly admitting that the training of military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the United States means expanding the country’s participation in the confrontation.»
«They pointed out that the Administration is no longer limiting itself to strengthening Kiev’s defense potential, but is transferring new weapons to the country with the aim of improving its offensive capabilities,» the Russian diplomat assured.
In this regard, he asserted that this is an «eloquent sign that Washington deceived» the international community, «talking about the desire to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.»
«The real goal of the U.S. government is to inflict as much damage as possible on the battlefield at hand to the Ukrainians in Russia,» he said, as reported by the Tass news agency.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed hours earlier that, starting next week, it will begin training about a hundred Ukrainian soldiers in the use of Patriot systems.
According to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder, once the Patriot systems can be used on the battlefield, the Ukrainian army will increase its air defense capabilities and safeguard the population against possible Russian offensives.
Laura Cooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, told CNN that the training program in Oklahoma could last «several months» and acknowledged that she was not in a position to give a «specific time frame».
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
