Russia Draws a Line in the Sand: US Warned Not to Test Its Patience

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Reuters=Yonhap News

Russian Foreign Minister Warns US Not to Cross ‘Red Line’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the United States should not joke about Russia’s ‘red line’ during an appearance on Russian state television at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia.

Lavrov’s comments came as he discussed the possibility of the United States providing Ukraine with long-range missiles. He stated, “I would not be surprised by anything. The United States has already crossed the line that they have set for themselves.” He also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that he was exploiting the situation.

The United States has been increasing its military support to Ukraine, including tanks, advanced missiles, and F-16 fighter jets. According to Reuters, the US is expected to announce a new weapons package for Ukraine this fall, which may include long-range air-to-surface missiles (JASSM).

President Zelensky has called for the West to lift restrictions on long-range missiles and provide additional weapons. In response, Minister Lavrov warned that the US is beginning to lose the sense of “mutual deterrence” that has supported the security balance between Russia and the US since the Cold War, and that “this is dangerous.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also commented on the situation, stating that Russia is considering revisions to its nuclear doctrine in response to the challenges and threats posed by the “collective West” countries. He cited the West’s refusal to engage in dialogue, policies that undermine Russian interests and security, and the incitement of conflict in Ukraine as examples of these challenges.

Peskov warned that Ukraine may launch long-range missile strikes deep into Russian territory, and that this is being taken into account. He also argued that the level of US involvement in the Ukrainian conflict is likely to continue to increase.

Russia’s current nuclear doctrine provides that nuclear weapons may be used in the event of a nuclear attack or a conventional attack that threatens the existence of the country. However, Russia has not disclosed specific details about its plans to revise its nuclear doctrine.