Slamming the US for its decision to send rocket systems and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, Russia has warned that it could widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation with Washington.

On Wednesday, the US unveiled a new $700 million package of arms and ammunition for Ukraine in a bid to prevent Russia from seizing the final swaths of land in the Donbas region. Among the arms that have been promised to send to Kyiv is High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a multiple rocket launcher system.

The US officials had said that the systems being sent to Ukraine will allow them to launch rockets about 49 miles—far less than the systems’ maximum range but greater than anything Kyiv has been sent to date, reports CNN.

According to Reuters, Reacting sharply to the move, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We believe that the United States is purposefully and diligently adding fuel to the fire.”

Asked later if the US move increased the chances of a third country becoming involved in the conflict, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "Such risks certainly exist."

He told a news conference in Saudi Arabia, "It is a direct provocation (by Ukraine), aimed at involving the West in military action."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antony-blinken-expects-many-months-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-484243" hreflang="en">Antony Blinken expects 'many months' of Russia-Ukraine war</a>

However, US claimed that they were given assurances by Ukraine that the weapons systems provided by Washington won’t be used “against targets on Russian territory.”

Appearing at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “There is a strong trust bond between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our allies and partners."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-advances-on-severodonetsk-forces-fight-on-streets-484280" hreflang="en">Russia advances on Severodonetsk, troops fight in streets</a>

But Russian Deputy Prime Minister Peskov said Moscow did not trust such assurances. He said it was assessing the risk of rockets being fired into Russian territory and was taking appropriate measures, but that it viewed Washington's step "extremely negatively."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Slamming the US for its decision to send rocket systems and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, Russia has warned that it could widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation with Washington.

Slamming the US for its decision to send rocket systems and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, Russia has warned that it could widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation with Washington. On Wednesday, the US unveiled a new $700 million package of arms and ammunition for Ukraine in a bid to prevent Russia from seizing the final swaths of land in the Donbas region. Among the arms that have been promised to send to Kyiv is High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a multiple rocket launcher system. The US officials had said that the systems being sent to Ukraine will allow them to launch rockets about 49 miles—far less than the systems’ maximum range but greater than anything Kyiv has been sent to date, reports CNN. According to Reuters, Reacting sharply to the move, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We believe that the United States is purposefully and diligently adding fuel to the fire.” Asked later if the US move increased the chances of a third country becoming involved in the conflict, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "Such risks certainly exist." He told a news conference in Saudi Arabia, "It is a direct provocation (by Ukraine), aimed at involving the West in military action." Also read | Antony Blinken expects 'many months' of Russia-Ukraine war However, US claimed that they were given assurances by Ukraine that the weapons systems provided by Washington won’t be used “against targets on Russian territory.” Appearing at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “There is a strong trust bond between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our allies and partners." Also read | Russia advances on Severodonetsk, troops fight in streets But Russian Deputy Prime Minister Peskov said Moscow did not trust such assurances. He said it was assessing the risk of rockets being fired into Russian territory and was taking appropriate measures, but that it viewed Washington's step "extremely negatively." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia says US sending rocket systems to Ukraine will increase risk of direct confrontation

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin who visited Ukraine over the weekend said the Biden administration&nbsp;wants to see "Russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine".

Defence secretary Lloyd Austin and US secretary of state Antony Blinken had visited Kyiv and met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky amid the Russian invasion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-war-russian-invasion-enters-its-third-month-473367">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia's 'special military operation' enters third month</a>

"The first step in winning is believing that you can win. And so they believe that we can win," Austin said. Ukraine has been demanding offensive weapons to counter the Russian army.

"They can win if they have the right equipment, the right support," Austin said referring to Ukraine's stiff resistance against Russia.

Watch:&nbsp;'Grateful to POTUS and people of US,' Zelensky meets Blinken

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Austin said US diplomats will gradually return to Ukraine while announcing $700 million military aid package to the country.

"Russia has already lost a lot of military capability. And a lot of its troops and we want to see them not have the capability to very quickly reproduce that capability," the US defence secretary said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/can-fly-16000-miles-in-one-hour-how-deadly-is-russias-nuke-capable-satan-2-sarmat-missile-472592">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;&nbsp;How deadly is Russia's nuke-capable 'Satan 2' Sarmat missile?</a>

President Putin had declared a "special military operation" against Ukraine on February 24, however, in the past few weeks the Russian forces have declared they would be concentrating their forces in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt claimed Russian forces shot down two Ukrainian drones near the Russian border as the country's emergency ministry said a large fuel depot had caught fire in Bryansk town.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin who visited Ukraine over the weekend said the Biden administration wants to see "Russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine". Defence secretary Lloyd Austin and US secretary of state Antony Blinken had visited Kyiv and met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky amid the Russian invasion. Also Read in Pics: Russia's 'special military operation' enters third month "The first step in winning is believing that you can win. And so they believe that we can win," Austin said. Ukraine has been demanding offensive weapons to counter the Russian army. "They can win if they have the right equipment, the right support," Austin said referring to Ukraine's stiff resistance against Russia. Watch: 'Grateful to POTUS and people of US,' Zelensky meets Blinken Austin said US diplomats will gradually return to Ukraine while announcing $700 million military aid package to the country. "Russia has already lost a lot of military capability. And a lot of its troops and we want to see them not have the capability to very quickly reproduce that capability," the US defence secretary said. Also Read in Pics: How deadly is Russia's nuke-capable 'Satan 2' Sarmat missile? President Putin had declared a "special military operation" against Ukraine on February 24, however, in the past few weeks the Russian forces have declared they would be concentrating their forces in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt claimed Russian forces shot down two Ukrainian drones near the Russian border as the country's emergency ministry said a large fuel depot had caught fire in Bryansk town. (With inputs from Agencies)

With right equipment, Ukraine can win war, says US defence secy Austin after meeting Zelensky

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Russia says US sending rocket systems to Ukraine will increase risk of direct confrontation

With right equipment, Ukraine can win war, says US defence secy Austin after meeting Zelensky