MOSCOW — The decision by the United States to supply weapons to Ukraine is dangerous as it will encourage Kiev to use force in eastern Ukraine, Russian officials said on Saturday.

The statement came one day after the State Department said that the United States would provide Ukraine with “enhanced defensive capabilities” as Kiev battles Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country.

President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine said on Facebook on Saturday the weapons would be used to protect Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

Supplies of any weapons would encourage those who support the conflict in Ukraine to use the “force scenario,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Saturday, according to the RIA state news agency. Franz Klintsevich, a member of the upper house of the Russian Parliament’s security committee, said Kiev would consider arms supplies as support of its actions, Interfax news agency reported.