Lavrov warns of nuclear implications as West agrees to supply Ukraine with F‑16s
7 May 2024 10:31
Lavrov issues a new threat. This time, the response from the Russian Foreign Ministry was triggered by plans to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The conflict in Ukraine has lasted for over two years. Throughout this period, the Ukrainian authorities have often discussed the necessity of gaining air superiority over Russia. Modern aircraft are essential, a request initially rejected by Western nations.
The dynamics have shifted over time, markedly enhancing the chances for the Ukrainian military to secure F-16s. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium have pledged to supply Kyiv with a collective total of 45 fighters, thus bolstering the attack capabilities of Ukrainian pilots.
Russia views the supplying of F-16s as a nuclear threat from the West
"One particularly perilous development is the US plan to supply F-16 fighters to the Kyiv government. We have alerted the nuclear states – the United States, the United Kingdom, and France – that Russia cannot overlook the potential of these aircraft to carry nuclear arms. Simple assurances will be insufficient," Sergei Lavrov stated in an interview with the propaganda website Lenta.ru.
The Russian Foreign Minister clarified that deploying F-16 fighters could escalate the conflict. This would align with Russia's defensive strategy, which envisages a nuclear retaliation to any nuclear threat against Russian territory. However, any engagement of the fighters could precipitate a response from Ukraine and the entire West.
"In the midst of combat, our forces will not discern whether each specific plane of this type is equipped to carry nuclear weapons. The mere possession of such systems by the Ukrainian military will be viewed as a Western threat in the nuclear domain," Lavrov added.
The training of Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighters is underway, aiming to acquaint them with the aircraft. However, it appears that this could significantly delay the planes' delivery. A contributing factor is the language barrier in communications with Ukrainian personnel.
