John Kirby rejected the statement of the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry that some F-16 aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear weapons and “incremental increases.”
The White House commented on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s statements that the transfer of F-16 fighters allegedly “will lead to further escalation.” In particular, they noted that if Russia is concerned about Kyiv’s military potential, it should withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territories. This is what the coordinator for strategic communication of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, said in a briefing.
“The first thing I want to say to Minister Lavrov is that if you are concerned about Ukraine’s military potential, you should withdraw your troops and leave Ukraine,” the US official said.
According to him, the F-16 will be provided as part of Ukraine’s long-term defense needs. It is about helping Ukraine meet its needs for self-defense.
Lavrov also claimed in his statement that the West is preparing to continue escalating the war. In particular, he claims that one of the F-16 modifications is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Kirby responded that the US was not “throwing out reckless nuclear rhetoric” compared to “Foreign Minister Lavrov, President Putin, and Speaker Putin Peskov.”
Remember, the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, noted that there is always a risk of escalation on the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine. This possibility is also in the background of the raid Russian volunteer corps (RDK) and Legion Freedom of Russia (LSR) in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.
Source: korrespondent
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