Russia Warns US, Turkey Against Opening ‘Pandora’s Box’ With Ukraine Arms

Russia has warned the United States and Turkey against opening another “Pandora’s box” by facilitating the transfer of weapons to Ukraine, saying the move would inevitably undermine mutual trust with Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the remarks after reports that Washington is preparing to authorize the transfer of around 70 ATACMS missiles worth approximately $280 million from Turkey to Ukraine.

Zakharova said supplying Kiev with additional weapons and ammunition would only add to the casualties and destruction caused by the conflict, while damaging Russia’s bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara. She criticized what she described as contradictory attempts to use peace-making rhetoric while simultaneously supplying weapons to Ukraine.

The Russian diplomat also questioned the circumstances surrounding the reported arms transfer, saying it remained unclear who had initiated the re-export and how or when the weapons would reach Ukraine. She warned that continued arms deliveries would deepen the conflict and further erode mutual trust between Russia, the United States and Turkey.