Russia threatened this Monday, May 6, to strike British military installations and equipment in Ukraine “ and beyond » if kyiv struck on Russian territory with weapons supplied by London.
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In a press release, Russian diplomacy indicates that British Ambassador Nigel Casey was summoned after statements by the British Foreign Minister, David Cameron« on the law ofUkraine to strike the territory of the Russia using British weapons “.
“ Nigel Casey has been warned that any British military installation or equipment in Ukraine and beyond its borders could be targeted in response to Ukrainian strikes with British weapons on Russian territory “, indicated the Russian ministry in this press release.
According to Russian diplomacy, David Cameron’s remarks “ directly contradict the assurances given by the British side during the transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine “, according to which they would not be used against the “ Russian territory “.
Nigel Casey was “ invited to reflect on the catastrophic consequences of the hostile measures taken by London » and to disavow David Cameron’s statements, added Russian diplomacy in this press release.
“ Strike in Russia since Russia strikes in Ukraine »
During his visit to kyiv on Thursday, May 2, the British Foreign Minister, David Cameron, announced an additional envelope of 500 million pounds sterling (nearly 590 million euros) to provide ammunition and weapons to Ukraine.
Faced with Russian drone attacks, the United Kingdom indeed insists on the need to provide the Ukrainian army with precision-guided bombs, anti-aircraft defense modules and missiles. David Cameron thus estimated that the weapons supplied by the United Kingdom could be used “ to strike in Russia since Russia strikes in Ukraine “.
“ Ukraine fiercely defends itself against Russia’s illegal invasion “, declared David Cameron, quoted in a press release. “ But this war is the challenge of our generation, and Ukraine cannot meet it alone “, he added, emphasizing the need to ensure that the country has what it has ” need to win “.
“ Through our multi-year military funding, arms supply and vital support to protect and repair Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the UK stands with Ukraine » and will “ as long as it takes “, he added.
Russia orders nuclear exercises near Ukraine
Alongside the summons of the British ambassador, Moscow announced on Monday the upcoming holding of nuclear exercises near Ukraine. These exercises should allow the Russian army to “ train in the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons », designed for use on the battlefield.
These threats from Moscow come on the eve of the inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin of Vladimir Poutinewho officially begins a fifth term on Tuesday, and three days before the May 9 celebrations of the Soviet victory against Nazi Germany, a central part of the Kremlin’s patriotic narrative.
Russian military exercises ordered by Vladimir Putin would involve the air force, navy and forces from the Southern Military District. Based very close to Ukraine, it covers Ukrainian regions which Moscow claims to annex, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The date and location were not specified, as were the number of soldiers and equipment mobilized.
The Russian Defense Ministry assured that this was in response to “ threat » uttered by Western leaders against Russia. Russian diplomacy also condemned this Monday the policy “ provocative » from Paris regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
French ambassador to Moscow summoned
Russia summoned the French ambassador to Moscow this Monday. “ The Russian side presented its principled assessment of the destructive and provocative line of Paris, which leads to an escalation of the conflict », indicated in a press release Russian diplomacy, specifying that this summons was linked to “ increasingly bellicose statements » from the French government.
Reference is made to the words of the French president Emmanuel Macron who mentioned again, in an interview with the British newspaper The Economist, the possibility of sending Western ground troops to Ukraineif Moscow breaks through “ the front lines » and if kyiv asked for it.
Emmanuel Macron had already expressed this idea in February, sparking disapproval among kyiv’s main allies, even if some have since taken a step in his direction, particularly in the face of the Russian push on the eastern front.
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