Russia has reportedly warned the United States in a letter that sending sensitive weapons to Ukraine could have “unintended consequences.”
We will analyze the letter and the aid that Washington has sent to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. In addition, we will talk about the Pentagon, which supports the claim of Ukraine that it hit a key Russian warship with two missiles.
This is the Defense and the National Security, your night guide for the latest developments in the Pentagon, in the Capitol and not only. For The Hill, I’m Jordan Williams. Is a friend promoting this newsletter? Register here.

Russia warns of ‘unforeseen consequences’

Russia has sent an official letter to the United States warning that sensitive arms shipments from the United States and NATO have exacerbated tensions in Ukraine and could have “unpredictable consequences,” the Washington Post reported. The letter, seen by the Post, added that the United States had violated the rules governing the transfer of weapons to conflict zones. Russia has further accused NATO of obstructing early peace talks with Ukraine “in order to continue the bloodshed”. The State Department declined to confirm any private diplomatic correspondence.
However, one spokesman added that he could confirm with his allies and partners that “we are providing Ukraine with billions of dollars in security assistance, which our Ukrainian partners are using to the best of their ability to defend their country against unprovoked and unprovoked attacks.” “Russia’s horrible aggression.” How Washington is arming Ukraine: The Biden government on Wednesday unveiled $ 800 million in additional military equipment to Ukraine as Russia prepares to launch an offensive in the east of the country. The United States has pledged more than $ 3.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including $ 2.6 billion since Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine. The latest round of US security assistance includes a mix of weapons and other supplies that Washington has already provided to Kyiv, as well as new capabilities that have not been sent in the past.
THE FUCKINGS ENTRY FOR THE ARMS OF UKRAINE Biden government officials who do not want to equip Ukraine with more advanced and deadly weapons are invading to change the policy of the White House, which has been criticized for being too slow and cautious in its decisions.
While President Biden’s announcement of new $ 800 million in security assistance falls short of Ukraine’s specific demands, it also represented a real change. Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the recent military aid package was a “significant change” and a sign that the US government and its allies were “steadily raising fire” against Russia. “Are there still red lines?” “Yes,” he added, but said the United States had reached those lines without crossing them. Read more here

The Pentagon supports Ukraine’s claim for a Russian warship

Ukrainian forces struck the Russian warship Moskva with two Neptune missiles, setting it on fire and sinking in the Black Sea, the Pentagon told The Hill on Friday.
The U.S. claim supports the report of Ukrainian forces, which on Thursday claimed to have hit Moscow with cruise missiles, seriously destroying what is known as the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Has Russia recognized this? Russia only acknowledged that the entire crew of the ship had to be evacuated following a fire that broke out the night before the ship’s stored ammunition exploded, but did not report any attack.
The Russian navy later tried to tow the ship to the port of the Crimean peninsula for repairs, but sank. Possible consequences: Moskva – which can carry a crew of about 500 people – gained prominence at the start of the invasion when it told Ukrainian troops on Snake Island to surrender, only to be told “f-“. The moment was widely publicized as a cry of rallies and a sign of Ukrainian resistance. Its sinking could trigger an increase in Kremlin attacks in Ukraine. Russia’s Defense Ministry has warned that it will increase the blows in retaliation for hitting Moscow assets, although it continues to deny that the ship was successfully attacked.
Read the story here.

Graham leads a bipartisan trip to Taiwan

Senator Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) led a six-member team of U.S. lawmakers on a two-day visit to Taiwan this week, a visit that sparked outrage from Beijing. Graham wrote on Twitter that the people of Taiwan are “great allies of the United States” and described Taiwan as a “beacon of freedom in a troubled region.” Who went to Taiwan? Graham with Sen. Bob Menendez (DN.J.), Chairman of the External Relations Committee, and Senators Richard Burr (RN.C.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and spokesman Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) landed at Taiwan Songshan Airport in Taipei on Friday. China reacts: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in Beijing denounced the visit on Thursday, saying “China is strongly opposed to any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan.” “The relevant US lawmakers must comply with the US-backed US-China policy. “The United States… must επίση suspend formal contacts with Taiwan and refrain from taking the dangerous path further,” Zao said in a daily news release. “We will continue to take strong measures to resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zao said. The Chinese military also announced that it was conducting military exercises around Taiwan on Friday, as a two-day visit by a delegation of US lawmakers was under way.
Recent fears about Taiwan: China has warned the United States not to back Taiwan and try to build a NATO version of the Pacific earlier this year amid the crisis in Ukraine, which is resisting Russian invasion. Moscow’s actions have raised fears about the future of Taiwan, over which China is claiming sovereignty. In general, concerns about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan have intensified in recent years. Read the full story here. AT THE TAP FOR MONDAY The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a virtual event entitled “Aerospace Nation: Understanding AFRL’s WARTECH” at 9 a.m. WHAT WE READ On The Money – Partial write-off of ‘still on the table’ Energy & Environment – Biden to make new, shrinking oil lease sales That’s all for today! Check out Hill’s Defense and Homeland Security pages for the latest coverage. I’ll see you on monday! SEE THE ENTIRE EDITION HERE