Russia has sharply criticized Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington, accusing the US of an indirect war against it.
President Joe Biden has pledged $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including an advanced missile system to help defend against Russian attacks.
In a defiant speech to US lawmakers, Zelensky welcomed the aid.
The Russian ambassador to the US said that these “provocative actions” would lead to an escalation with serious consequences.
Anatoly Antonov told Russian state media that Moscow was “trying to appeal to common sense at all levels” but talk of sending the Patriot missile system to Kiev was “deeply disturbing”.
Moscow has complained that calls for peace were not heard during President Zelensky’s trip to Washington, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing it as evidence that the US was waging a war with Russia.
Peskov added that sending the Patriot missiles would not prevent Russia from “achieving its goals during the special military operation.”
“Talks in Washington have shown that neither Ukraine nor the United States is looking for peace. They simply intend to continue the fighting,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.