Lavrov: Russia considers the supply of F-16 to Kyiv as a threat in the nuclear sphere

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that US plans to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighters are dangerous and could lead to a direct armed conflict between the US and Russia. He noted that the appearance in Kyiv of F-16 fighters, which can be equipped with nuclear weapons, will be considered by Russia as a threat in the nuclear sphere from the West, which could have catastrophic consequences.

In an interview with Lenta.ru, Lavrov noted that Russia has repeatedly spoken out on this topic, and if the West had not taken actions that increase strategic risks, this topic would have been exhausted. He added that the aggressive anti-Russian policy of the United States and its allies creates the risk of a direct armed clash with Russia, which could have serious consequences.

Lavrov also noted that Russia does not ignore the ability of F-16 fighter jets to carry nuclear weapons and has already informed nuclear powers such as the US, UK and France about this. He stressed that no assurances would help in this situation.

The minister explained that in the event of hostilities, the Russian military will not investigate whether each specific F-16 aircraft is equipped with nuclear weapons or not. The mere appearance of such systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be considered by Russia as a threat in the nuclear sphere from the West.

Earlier, Andriy Yermak, head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that Ukraine hopes to receive the first F-16 fighter jets from Western partners before the end of 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg did not specify the timing of the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, noting that it depends on the training of pilots and the situation in the region, according to his statement.