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Russia is "ready" for security talks with the United States, but any talks must include the conflict in Ukraine - specifically the "direct involvement" of the U.S., Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
In his regular telephone briefing with reporters, Peskov said this kind of dialogue between the U.S. and Russia "is very much required" because "problems are piling up, and there are a lot of problems associated with the global security architecture."
Peskov's comments came in response to a question regarding the possibility of holding talks with the U.S. on nuclear risks apart from the Ukrainian conflict.
As to Peskov's comments regarding direct U.S. involvement in Ukraine, the United States and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg have rejected the idea that providing arms to help Ukraine defend itself amounts to "direct involvement" in the conflict.
The White House announced Thursday it would move Ukraine to the front of the line for deliveries of powerful air defense missiles after a barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks damaged energy facilities throughout the country overnight.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that hundreds of newly made Patriot and NASAMS missiles - used for surface-to-air defense - will go to Ukraine ahead of other nations who have ordered them, citing Russia's attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Putin and South Korea
Meanwhile, during his visit to Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned South Korea against sending arms to Ukraine.
Senior officials in South Korea said Thursday that the pact signed this week between Russia and North Korea pledging to come to each other's defense in the event of war was "of great concern," and that Seoul would consider sending arms to Ukraine in response, a reversal of its policy not to send arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.
Putin responded Friday, saying South Korea had nothing to worry about regarding Russia's treaty with North Korea, but he added that Seoul sending arms to Ukraine would be "a very big mistake." He said, "If it happens, then we will be making relevant decisions that are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea."
Ukraine's offensive
Ukraine responded Friday to Russia's attacks with an attack of its own, targeting oil refineries, radar installations and intelligence centers in southern Russia and occupied Crimea.
The Ukrainian general staff reported Ukrainian forces attacked a fuel and chemical warehouse in Russia's Tambov region, as well as the Enemska oil depot in the Republic of Adygea.
Russia reported one person was killed in the attacks. It also claims to have "neutralized" 114 Ukrainian drones.
Stressed power grid
Ukraine's national power provider, Ukrenergo, said early Thursday that a Russian attack on a thermal plant caused serious damage and wounded three workers.
"Equipment at facilities in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kyiv regions were damaged," the Ukrenergo statement said.
On Wednesday, Ukrenergo announced that hourly rolling blackouts would be implemented throughout the country. Russian drone and missile strikes have cut Ukraine's power-generating capabilities to half of what they were last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month.
Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The Voice of America provides news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of over 326 million people. Stories with the VOA News byline are the work of multiple VOA journalists and may contain information from wire service reports.