West ‘playing with fire’ by supplying Kiev with F-16s: Lavrov

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned Western nations that they are "playing with fire" by supplying US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Undoubtedly, Western countries willing to give Ukraine US-made F-16 fighter jets are “playing with fire,” Lavrov said on Sunday, describing the move as an “unacceptable escalation” of the persisting conflict.

The Russian top diplomat further slammed the move as an attempt by “Washington, London and their satellites in the EU” to “weaken Russia.”

Earlier, Russia had warned against sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, saying the move would raise the question of the US-led NATO forces' direct military involvement in the war.

Initially, US President Joe Biden had said that the US would not provide Ukraine with the F-16 fighter jets much sought by Kiev.

Earlier this month, however, he told leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries gathered in Japan that Washington was prepared to help train the Ukrainian pilots of F-16 fighter jets that were to be donated to Kiev.

Since Russia launched its special operation in Donbas, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been asking the United States to provide F-16s fighter jets alongside a wide range of other weapons.

So far, there have only been offers by the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Canada to do pilot training courses.

MG