SAEDNEWS: Russia says it is awaiting explanations from the United States and Turkey over reports that American-made weapons held in Turkey could be transferred to Ukraine, while Moscow also warns Finland over military aid to Kyiv and questions Washington’s decision to scale back exercises with South Korea.
According to SaedNews: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow is still waiting for Washington and Ankara to clarify reports that a large shipment of U.S.-made weapons and ammunition currently held in Turkey could be sent to Ukraine.
Speaking at a press briefing, Zakharova said the reports circulating online were based on documents released by the U.S. Congress. She said Russia had requested explanations from both governments and was still expecting responses, particularly because of the potential impact on prospects for resolving the Ukraine conflict. Turkey’s presidential office had previously said it had no information about Moscow’s inquiry into possible plans to send weapons to Kyiv and did not respond to further questions.
Zakharova also said Moscow would respond appropriately to what it described as Finland’s hostile actions in supplying military equipment to Ukraine. She warned that Finnish weapons would become legitimate targets for Russian forces once they crossed into Ukraine and said no hostile move by Helsinki would go unanswered.
According to Zakharova, Finland has provided Ukraine with an unprecedented volume of financial and material assistance since 2022, worth about €4.5 billion. She claimed Helsinki’s objective was to inflict maximum damage on Russia on the battlefield and achieve what she called a strategic defeat of Russia.
On Thursday, reports said Finnish company Inokas plans to establish production capacity for drones needed by Ukraine’s armed forces in Finland. Company chief Jane Kustamo said the project aims to expand unmanned-system production and increase equipment deliveries to Ukraine.
Zakharova said no country other than Russia could guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Responding to a journalist, she said Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly stressed that Russia was the only possible guarantor.
She also claimed Western countries had no interest in seeing Ukraine become an independent and prosperous state, arguing that Western involvement in Ukraine was driven solely by self-interest.
Zakharova said only U.S. officials could fully explain Washington’s decision to reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea.
Donald Trump had previously instructed Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to scale back the exercises, saying they sent a “hostile message” to North Korea. Zakharova told reporters to seek clarification from the U.S. Embassy or American officials.
She added that sovereign states could determine the parameters of joint exercises themselves, provided the drills complied with international law, did not create threats and were not offensive in nature.
Zakharova also said that, as part of the Asia-Pacific region, Russia had repeatedly warned that offensive exercises not aimed at shared challenges such as terrorism, piracy or natural disasters could destabilize the region and weaken rather than strengthen security. She said Moscow could only welcome measures that reduce the capacity for conflict and risks to regional security, while stressing that questions about Washington’s motives should be directed to the U.S. side.
