MOSCOW. March 24 (Interfax) - The U.S. House of Representatives' resolution urging President Barack Obama to begin the delivery of lethal weapons to Ukraine is adding fuel to the confrontation and instability in Donbas, in the opinion of the State Duma majority.
"Congressmen have to understand that the delivery of lethal weapons to Ukraine would instantly ruin the Minsk agreements. Their resolution is a direct call for war," first deputy head of the State Duma's United Russia group, Defense Committee member Franz Klintsevich told reporters on Tuesday.
The resolution disregards the opinion of Russia and U.S. allies in Europe, he pointed out. "It seems that the interests of other countries do not exist for the United States," he said.
The resolution is an advisory document supported by 348 congressmen. Forty-eight voted against. It urged President Obama to use the powers vested in him by the Congress for the delivery of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine.
The State Duma rapidly responded to the resolution. For instance, the leadership of the parliament group of A Just Russia party has called for reinstating the Russian president's right to send troops to Ukraine in the case that the United States begins the delivery of lethal weapons to Russia's neighbor.