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Zelenskyy trip to US prompts warning

THE Kremlin said increasing the supply of US arms to Ukraine will aggravate the devastating 10- month war ignited by Russia’s illegal invasion and “does not bode well” for the neighbouring country – where President Vladimir Putin vowed Russia will achieve its goals.

Speaking during a meeting with his top military brass, Putin said Moscow will use the combat experience to enhance its armed forces.

He told military leaders to analyse the Western weapons used by Ukraine to “develop our armed forces and strengthen the capability of our troops”.

Earlier, in a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the expansion of Western weapon supplies to Ukraine “leads to an aggravation of the conflict and, in fact, does not bode well for Ukraine”.

Peskov’s comments were the first official Russian reaction to news that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is heading to Washington for a summit with US president Joe Biden.

The trip will be Zelenskyy’s first known foreign trip since Russia’s February 24 invasion triggered a war that has killed thousands and laid waste to towns and cities across Ukraine.

Zelenskyy is expected to leave Washington with pledges for a massive $ 1.8 billion (£ 1.5bn) military aid package that would help his country defend itself from Russian aggression.

In Moscow, Peskov also confirmed media reports that Putin will not deliver his annual state- ofthenation address this year.

He would not comment on the reason for postponing the address until next year, saying only it has to do with Putin’s “work schedule”.