Russia raises threat from Western arms aid, prisoner exchange between two countries

The United States and Finland continue to announce new military aid packages for Ukraine, focusing on ammunition and air defense missiles.

(05.26) Nga và Ukraine đã tổ chức một đợt trao đổi tù nhân mới trong ngày 26/5. (Nguồn: Reuters)

Russia and Ukraine held a new prisoner exchange on May 26. (Source: Reuters)

* On May 25, Russian Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said that during talks with her Cuban counterpart Lázaro Alberto Álvarez, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokóltsev pointed out that Western secret services are taking advantage of the situation in Ukraine to illegally transport weapons, including mobile air defense and anti-tank systems, in Latin America and other regions of the world.

According to Mr. Kolokoltsev, some Western countries are trying to limit and even suspend Russia’s membership in Interpol. The official said that politicizing international interaction between judicial agencies is counterproductive and harms the common interests in fighting cross-border crime.

Spokesperson Irina Volk said the Russian Interior Minister and his Cuban counterpart affirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating cybercrime.

* Meanwhile, on the morning of May 26, Ukraine said that it and Russia had exchanged prisoners. President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that Russia had released 106 soldiers, including eight officers, who were captured in Bakhmut. However, there is currently no information about the Russian soldiers that Ukraine will exchange.

Regarding NATO membership, the official stressed in an interview with the Ukrainian news agency Interfax : “As for security guarantees, the perfect form for Ukraine today is a combination of the Kiev Security Treaty and commitments like those of the United States with Israel. That would be the best form. Fixation in one form or another reflects the inevitable fact that Ukraine is aiming for NATO membership. Ukraine needs security guarantees until we join NATO.”

According to him, the Kiev Security Treaty provides a multilateral framework agreement with the possibility of concluding additional bilateral agreements. However, despite being “large, important and good” because it involves many countries, the treaty “has specific features of the laws of some countries that make its implementation difficult.”

“Kiev’s demands are now clear: first, Ukraine needs to receive an invitation to become a member of NATO as soon as the security situation allows; second, security guarantees on our path towards NATO,” he concluded.

* In related news, on May 25, the Finnish government said it would send additional military equipment to Ukraine, including air defense weapons and ammunition at a total cost of 109 million EUR (120 million USD). Helsinki stated: "For operational reasons and to ensure the safe delivery of assistance, no further details are provided on the exact content, methods or timetable of the aid."

Previously, Finland, which shares a 1,300km border with Russia, announced it would supply German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine.

* On the same day, the US may announce a new shipment of military aid worth up to $300 million to Ukraine on May 26 or early next week. The shipment mainly includes missiles for the HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket system and ammunition. The shipment is taken from the US military's warehouse under the special authority of the US President without the approval of Congress in case of emergency.

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