Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning to the United States on Wednesday, cautioning against any moves to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles.
Underminig Delicate Balance
Lavrov's remarks were in response to reports that the U.S. is close to agreeing on a deal to provide Ukraine with Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), which could potentially strike deep within Russian territory, according to Hotnews.
Lavrov emphasized that the U.S. risks undermining the delicate balance of mutual deterrence that has existed between Moscow and Washington since the Cold War. He warned that this disregard for Russia's "red lines" could have dangerous consequences.
"I wouldn’t be surprised by anything at this point—the Americans have already crossed thresholds they set for themselves," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian television. He added, "They should understand—they are toying with our red lines, and this is no laughing matter."
A Misplaced Sense of Invulnerability
This latest warning comes as the U.S. and its allies continue to ramp up military support for Ukraine, including the provision of advanced tanks, missiles, and F-16 fighter jets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly cautioned the West against countering Russia, highlighting the nation’s vast nuclear arsenal. However, some Western leaders have dismissed Putin’s nuclear rhetoric as a bluff, advocating for increased support to help Ukraine win the war.
Lavrov also criticized the U.S. for what he described as a misplaced sense of invulnerability, arguing that this attitude threatens the principles of strategic stability that have governed U.S.-Russia relations for decades.
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Russia is revising its nuclear doctrine in response to what it sees as escalating threats from Washington and its allies.
