Russia demands explanation from Ankara over Turkey's plan to sell missiles to Ukraine; Foreign Ministry remains silent
Moscow argued that the request for a sales permit, which appeared in US Congressional records, would damage bilateral relations; no official response has come from Ankara.
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Russia has reacted sharply to reports that Turkey has requested permission to sell US-origin heavy munitions and ballistic missile systems to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the matter constitutes a "heavy blow to bilateral relations" from Moscow's perspective and announced that they have requested explanations from both Washington and Ankara.
The sales plan was reflected in US Congressional records two weeks ago. According to these records, it was stated that Turkey requested a resale permit from the US to sell 12 M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems, 2,524 M26 DPICM rockets, 47,000 M509A1 203-millimeter munitions, and 70 M39 ATACMS army tactical ballistic missile systems to Ukraine.
In a response published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, Zakharova argued that there are uncertainties regarding the conditions and timeline of the shipment. The Russian spokesperson claimed that it is unclear who initiated the shipment of "lethal products of this scale," how it will be carried out, and when it will reach Kyiv.
Stating that the US and Turkey claim to play a special role as countries that prioritize a political and diplomatic solution in the Ukraine crisis, Zakharova criticized the emergence of such a sales plan. Zakharova used the phrase "What were they thinking?" in reference to the parties involved.
NO OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM ANKARA
Zakharova argued that the potential delivery would not divert Russia from its goals but would increase the destruction caused by the war. The statement said, "This situation is not only a matter of victims, destruction, and Kyiv's determination to cause damage on a larger scale, but it is also a matter of dealing a heavy blow to Russia's bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara."
The Russian spokesperson also claimed that Turkish authorities had previously given assurances regarding refraining from delivering "lethal weapons" to Kyiv. It was reported that Moscow has requested explanations from both Washington and Ankara in line with the information reflected in the US Congressional records.
There has been no official statement from Turkey regarding the matter. It was reported that when asked by the Russian news agency Ria Novosti whether such a request for explanation had been received from Russia, presidential sources responded, "We have no information on this matter." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also left questions regarding Russia's statement and the potential response process unanswered.
The request reflected in the US Congress is being evaluated within the scope of a resale permit because the products are of US origin. Congress has until August 21 to object to the sale. While it is stated that the plan aims to strengthen Ukraine's defense capacity against the Russian invasion, the development has also sparked debate regarding the balance policy Turkey has pursued throughout the Russia-Ukraine war.