MOSCOW: Tensions rise as Russia’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, issued a warning on Sunday, stating that Western nations were “playing with fire” by agreeing to supply Ukraine with US-made F-16 fighter jets.
Lavrov labeled the move as “an unacceptable escalation” of the conflict and accused Washington, London, and their EU allies of attempting to weaken Russia.
In an excerpt from a Russian TV interview posted on social media, Lavrov expressed his concerns, asserting, “It’s playing with fire, without a doubt.” He criticized the decision, seeing it as an attempt to undermine Russia’s position in the region. These remarks from the Russian foreign minister further heighten the tensions between Russia and the West.
US Allows EU Allies to Export F-16 Jets to Ukraine
Last week, the Biden administration announced that it would allow its European Union allies to export F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. During the G7 summit in Japan, President Joe Biden informed his counterparts about this decision, emphasizing that the jets would be used solely for defense purposes and not to launch attacks on Russian territory. The US also stated its commitment to providing training to Ukrainian pilots for operating the jets.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision, as his country has been seeking Western support to bolster its defense capabilities. Zelensky expressed that the F-16 jets would significantly enhance Ukraine’s air force, providing them with the means to counter Russian aggression.
The approval for the export of F-16 jets to Ukraine opens the door for other nations to send their existing stocks of these aircraft to Ukraine, subject to the US granting prior permission as required for the resale or re-export of American military equipment.
The move by the West to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine has intensified the already tense situation between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia warning of dire consequences and claiming that it undermines regional stability. As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community closely watches the developments in the region, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions.
