Russia has sharply criticized US lawmakers’ approval of additional aid worth $60.84 billion for Ukraine, framing it as Washington’s deepening involvement in a hybrid war against Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew parallels between the conflict in Ukraine and the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars, predicting a similar outcome of humiliation for the United States.
The US House of Representatives’ passage of a $95 billion legislative package, including security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, elicited strong objections from some far-right Republicans but received broad bipartisan support. Zakharova asserted that the US aims to prolong the conflict in Ukraine, ultimately resulting in a humiliating defeat akin to past military engagements.
She criticized the US for pushing Ukraine “to fight to the last Ukrainian,” condemning what she viewed as Washington’s escalating involvement in the conflict. Zakharova warned of dire consequences for the United States, drawing parallels with the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars, where significant casualties were suffered and military objectives were ultimately unattainable.
Zakharova emphasized Russia’s commitment to delivering a resolute response to US actions, signaling a stance of defiance against perceived aggression. Despite warnings from US intelligence officials about Ukraine’s potential battlefield losses without increased military support, the United States has ruled out deploying troops to the region.
Russia currently controls approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory, primarily in the eastern and southern regions, following the failure of Kyiv’s counter-offensive in 2023. Despite Ukraine’s appeals for additional assistance, Russian officials remain confident that US aid will not alter the course of the conflict significantly.
Zakharova criticized the US legislative package, accusing it of facilitating the seizure of Russian assets frozen by sanctions and benefiting American defense companies. She portrayed ordinary Ukrainians as victims of geopolitical maneuvering, caught in the crossfire of great power rivalry.
The conflict in Ukraine has been framed by Western leaders as a threat to global stability, with Russia portrayed as a revisionist power seeking to undermine the post-Cold War order. However, Putin contends that the conflict is part of a broader struggle with the United States, fueled by perceived Western encroachment on Russian interests.
As tensions persist and the conflict in Ukraine escalates, Russia’s denunciation of US involvement underscores the deepening divide between Moscow and Washington, with implications for regional security and international relations.