Russia warns of ‘countermeasure’ as Biden vows advanced missile systems to Ukraine

Russia has vowed response to the West’s growing involvement in the Ukrainian conflict after US President Joe Biden said Washington will provide Kiev with advanced air systems.

Russia’s RIA news agency quoted the country’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Tuesday that direct conflict with the US-led NATO military alliance is not in Moscow’s interests, but it will respond to the growing involvement of Western countries in the conflict.

“We warn and hope that they realize the danger of uncontrolled escalation in Washington and other Western capitals,” Ryabkov said, warning of adequate countermeasures.

It came after Biden on Monday night promised his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the US would provide Kiev with advanced air systems.

“President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the White House said in a statement.

Zelenskyy also took to Twitter, saying he had a “productive conversation” with the US president, and that air defense systems are currently the top priority in their defense cooperation.

“A productive conversation with [the US President Joe Biden]. Air defense is currently the number one priority in our defense partnership. We also need US leadership on [ensuring] G7’s tough position and supporting our resolution at the UN General Assembly,” he wrote.

The call came ahead of an emergency meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) to discuss support for Ukraine and how to hold Russia “accountable” for recent missile attacks targeting multiple cities in Ukraine, including the capital Kiev.

Russian strikes came in retaliation to a powerful blast at a vital bridge linking Russia and Crimea, which Russian President Vladimir Putin described as an “act of terror” carried out by “Ukrainian secret services” and warned of a “harsh” response.

Russia’s defense ministry said it targeted “military command and communication facilities and energy infrastructure” in Monday’s attacks, but Kiev accused Moscow of shelling civilian areas.