Threatening words from Lavrov to the US: They are mocking our red lines, they should not

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov evaluated reports that the US is close to an agreement to provide Ukraine with long-range JASSM cruise missiles, which have the capacity to strike deep into Russian territory. Lavrov stated that the US is mocking Russia's red lines, but that they should not do so. 

According to the Reuters news agency, Minister Lavrov said, "Nothing surprises me. The Americans have already crossed the threshold they set for themselves. They are being provoked and (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy sees this and is taking advantage of it." The Russian Foreign Minister continued his remarks as follows: "But they should understand this: They are mocking our red lines here. They should not mock our red lines."

'THEY ARE STARTING TO LOSE THE SENSE OF MUTUAL DETERRENCE'

Arguing that the Washington administration knows where the boundaries are but is mistaken in believing that Europe would bear the brunt of the consequences of any escalation in the war in Ukraine, Lavrov said, "They have a genetic belief that no one will touch them," claiming that this undermines all the principles that have formed the basis of strategic stability since the Soviet Union era. Lavrov said, "For some reason, they are starting to lose this sense of mutual deterrence. This is dangerous." 

'WORLD WAR III WILL NOT BE LIMITED TO EUROPE'

According to Reuters' assessment, Lavrov was referring to the statements of White House National Security Advisor John Kirby in his remarks. In a statement in June, Kirby said that US President Joe Biden had repeatedly stated that the Washington administration was not seeking a 'Third World War,' and noted that a major escalation in the Ukraine war 'would likely have catastrophic consequences across the European continent.' With his latest statement, Lavrov has issued a warning to the US for the second time in a week that 'a possible third world war would not be limited to Europe.'

In a statement made by the Kremlin today, it was claimed that Russia is making changes to its nuclear doctrine, and that the reason for this is that the Washington administration and its allies are threatening Russia by escalating the war in Ukraine and showing disrespect for Moscow's legitimate security interests. However, the statement did not provide information on how the policy document, which sets out the conditions under which the country could use nuclear weapons, would be updated or when the changes would be implemented. 

News Source: 12punto