Russia’s top diplomat cautioned Western countries that they are “playing with fire” by agreeing to supply Ukraine with American-made F-16 fighter planes.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the move “is an unacceptable escalation” of the war, since his nation continues to occupy Ukraine.
“Undoubtedly, they were playing with fire,” Lavrov stated in an interview with Russian television that was widely circulated on social media.
He said that Washington, London, and “their satellites in the European Union” are attempting to “weaken Russia.”
The United States recently agreed to allow Ukrainian pilots to train for F-16 aircraft. However, Washington has not confirmed whether these types of aircraft would be sent to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, NATO and other countries have volunteered to teach Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16.
Ukraine has begged its friends to provide advanced aircraft since Russia launched its invasion in February of last year.
The government of American President Joe Biden has made a U-turn with this decision, after refusing to authorise the dispatch of planes or the training of pilots for more than a year for fear of escalating tensions with Russia.
Following the decision to allow Ukrainian pilots to train, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the training does not imply that the military alliance is involved in the war.
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