Russia cautions West against "mindlessly pumping weapons" into Ukraine

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According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Moscow might begin security talks with the US if Washington is willing. He also stated that Russia is willing to address the matter of the New START deal, which has also been placed on hold.

Simultaneously, Ryabkov stated that Moscow's proposals for a security conversation have evolved.

"I would not say that [earlier Russian proposals on security guarantees], remain in force. The [security] landscape has completely changed and now the situation is radically different" the deputy Prime Minister said. 

Ryabkov detailed that Russia will make no compromises to the US in terms of strategic stability. He also advised Washington not to take any risks in this area.

The envoy also warned the West against "mindlessly pumping weapons" into Ukraine. He emphasized that this is a risky move, and that convoys transporting these weapons will be susceptible to attacks.

Russia is ready to respond to sanctions

According to Ryabkov, the US is currently engaged in an economic war with Russia. Separately, he slammed Western countries' move to block their airspace to Russian planes as "illegal". He went on to say that Moscow has already created lists of personal counter-sanctions against Western nations, which would be made public shortly.

"Now, masks are dropped away from the West. Now, an overt declaration of economic war on Russia, shameless speculation on certain opportunities of the US financial and banking system are taking place," said Ryabkov.

He stressed that "all fig leaves" covering the US policy of sanctions are now discarded as the policy has "stood up to its full height, in all the disgusting, unacceptable anti-Russian essence."

He also emphasized that Moscow will have every opportunity to minimize the blow of sanctions.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the West would have found another reason to implement anti-Russian sanctions, even without the military operation in Ukraine.

"We know that America can pull any trick at any moment. We have been preparing for this situation [with sanctions]. They are irrelevant to the special military operation, they are not connected to it. Russia is like a thorn in Washington's side, that's the point. We understand this."