The Russian Federation has pledged to harshly suppress Western attempts to slow down the so-called military "special operation" in Ukraine. This statement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, UNIAN reported.

In particular, Ryabkov reiterated that Russia considers cargoes with Western weapons in Ukraine as "legitimate military targets."

"Attempts on the part of the United States and Western countries to slow down our special operation, to cause maximum damage to the Russian contingents and the "DNR" and "LNR" formations will be harshly suppressed," Ryabkov said.

He also added that consultations with the U.S. on the negotiation of a possible new arrangement or arrangements in the field of strategic stability, as well as negotiations on security guarantees were stopped at the initiative of the U.S.