Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced today, Wednesday, that his country calls on the United States to stop arms supplies to Ukraine, stressing that this is a direct threat to Russia.

"We emphasize the need to stop fueling the militant Ukrainian regime with the supply of weapons, instructor assistance, the development of plans and their implementation for the construction of military bases, training events, and much more, which poses a direct and immediate threat to us,” Russia's deputy foreign minister said.

At a Valdai Discussion Club meeting, he stated, "It’s true that the situation in the area of European security is critical," explaining that "It’s become so because of Washington and NATO which among other things use Ukraine as leverage against Russia."

According to TASS, Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia offered the United States and other Western countries a viable exit strategy. Last week, Russia's representatives held fruitful discussions on the issues in Geneva, Brussels, and inside the OSCE. According to Ryabkov, the meeting helped both sides better comprehend each other's perspectives.

On Monday, the United Kingdom said that it has delivered anti-tank weapons to Ukraine to aid in self-defense in the event of an invasion. Ukraine has also received military aid from the United States, including arms and training.

🇬🇧 передала #ЗСУ легкі протитанкові засоби
Це зміцнюватиме 🛡 спроможності України, а надані засоби будуть використані виключно з оборонною метою pic.twitter.com/ipGpqPfInG

— Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) January 18, 2022

Moscow has denied any intentions for an attack but has warned that unless the West agrees to a list of demands, including barring Ukraine from ever joining NATO, it may take unspecified military action. Last week's talks between Russia and the US and NATO came to a halt due to a lack of progress. 

The West sending militants to Ukraine guised as instructors: Zakharova

On December 12, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova revealed that Western nations are transferring militants to Ukraine, guised as instructors. 

"Ukraine is being pumped with armament, meaning, direct supplies, future contracts, and, as you see, these are multi-million, billion contracts as a whole. It is about dispatching there militants disguised as instructors," Zakharova told Russia's Krym 24 broadcaster. 

Russian MoD: The US is setting up multinational forces close to Russian border

On November 9, Russia's Defense Ministry reported that the US is setting up a multinational group of armed forces close to the Russian border.

"These are unscheduled moves by the US military that is setting up a multinational group of armed forces in close proximity to the Russian border," the Defense Ministry stressed.

The US Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Porter, tanker USS John Lenthall, and a command ship, the USS Mount Whitney, are deployed in the Black Sea. Two US Air Force long strategic bombers also performed patrols over the Black Sea at a distance of 100 km from the Russian border.