SIMFEROPOL, August 8. /TASS/. Western countries may follow the United States in reducing military assistance to Ukraine as they begin to recognize the risks of weapons supplied to Kiev being used outside the country, Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) member Major General (Ret.) Leonid Ivlev told TASS.

The Financial Times reported earlier that US President Donald Trump had declined Vladimir Zelensky’s request for additional Patriot interceptors, saying that Washington needed the missiles to protect its assets and allies in the Middle East.

"Rampant theft is widespread in Ukraine, with weapons spreading beyond the country’s borders and criminal groups expanding their activities. In this situation, the US State Department and the Pentagon - whose officials are certainly no fools - can see the danger of weapons supplied to Ukraine being used by third parties in areas affecting US interests, which Washington considers unacceptable. Trump’s refusal to meet Zelensky’s request for additional military support may only be the beginning, with other countries potentially following the same path," Ivlev said.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted a rise in crimes involving illegal weapons and ammunition in Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly said that Western arms supplies to Kiev and assistance with training Ukrainian troops only prolong the conflict without changing the situation on the battlefield.