Transmission to Vladimir….
Via Yahoo:
Serving as the latest figurative jab in the two countries’ ongoing publicity war, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson called the United States’ newest defense spending authorization a “hostile” act Tuesday, Politico reported.
President Barack Obama, following Congress’ passage of the $618.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act earlier this month, signed the spending bill into law Friday and Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the intended funding for Syrian anti-government rebels, who she called “bloody thugs,” was a “direct threat” to Russian aircraft, soldiers and its embassy in Syria.
Zakharova also addressed the timing of the bill, as Obama transitions out and President-elect Donald Trump in, could create further issues for the oft-at-odds nations.
“The passing of this law in the last days of team Obama is an indication the administration is planting a landmine for the future administration of Donald Trump, in an attempt to complicate affairs in the international arena,” Zakharova said.
The Syrian rebels would have access to a number of weapons, including Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, or shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, that could be used against Russian airstrikes that have helped to decimate Syria and in particular the city of Aleppo.