Roundup: Russia warns U.S. against sending weapons to Ukraine

Russia warned on Thursday that possible U.S. weapons supplies to Ukraine would not only escalate the conflict in the country, but also threaten Russia's security.

"We are very seriously concerned by these plans. Taking into account the retaliatory plans of Kiev's 'party of war', this could not only escalate the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but also threaten the security of Russia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said, warning such decision could " significantly damage the Russian-U.S. relations".

In addition, the spokesman said any military decisions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would be "fully considered" in Russia's military planning.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that NATO defense ministers agreed to immediately set up six bases in eastern Europe and establish a rapid-response force of 5,000 troops in case Russia takes actions in Ukraine.

According to Lukashevich, the possible weapon assistance to Kiev from the West is especially dangerous, because the Ukrainian government troops confronting the insurgents have allegedly used weapons equivalent to the weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors situation in Ukraine's conflict-gripped eastern regions, said Thursday that cluster bombs have been used during hostilities in Lugansk city.

"We are highly concerned with the massive shelling of the populated areas in Donetsk, Lugansk, Uglegorsk, as well as with the increase of hostilities around Debaltsevo," Interfax news agency quoted Lukashevich as saying.

The most important and urgent task is to promptly halt all military action and resume peaceful dialogue, Lukashevich said, noting that only short-term measures or temporary cease-fire would not help settle the situation.

Lukashevich went on accusing Kiev government of resorting to military forces in words and deeds to solve the problems, despite efforts made by Russia and all sides involved to promote peace.

In the view of the spokesman, Friday's meeting between Russian, German and French leaders is expected to discuss possible ways to secure a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, as well as to decide on sending UN peacekeepers to Ukraine's embattled Donbas region.

As French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are currently in Kiev discussing with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko the proposal of a peaceful settlement of Ukraine crisis, the two leaders would come to Moscow on Friday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, Lukashevich voiced Moscow's concern over ratification by Poroshenko of an intergovernmental treaty with Lithuania and Poland on the founding of the joint military brigade LITPOLUKRBRIG.

He also warned against internationalization of Ukraine's domestic conflict, saying it would be "absolutely counter- productive and dangerous". Endite