One of Vladimir Putin‘s main Kremlin allies has sent a chilling warning to the US as Moscow continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the US not to joke about Moscow’s red lines amid reports that Washington may supply Ukraine with long-range weapons that could strike territory deep within Russia.
Mr Lavrov responded to the reports, saying: “Americans already stepped over the line that they set up. They’re joking about our red lines. Don’t joke about our red lines. They perfectly know where they are.”
He added: “The obsession in the fight for power for Democrats to appear cooler than Republicans or vice versa, at least now—it’s leading to more and more escalation.
“I’m confident there are sensible people there who have an influence, and I hope the interests of the USA will be considered.”
Mr Lavrov accused the US government of trying to win votes at the US election via “hawkishness” towards Russia.
The US has given a total of $55.7billion (£42billion) in military aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Mr Lavrov’s comments come as Russian forces advance in the east of Ukraine, especially around the Donetsk region.
But Ukrainian forces still remain in Russian territory after launching their incursion into Kursk last month.
Putin denied that Russia is “nervous” about the Kursk incursion, saying on Thursday: “When we talk about these issues, first of all we should think about people who are certainly going through serious trials and suffering from these terrorist acts.
“It is the sacred duty of the [Russian] armed forces to do everything to kick the enemy out of these territories and to reliably protect our citizens.
“And, of course, the whole country must do everything to support people.”
Putin also made an unexpected intervention in the US election this week, claiming that he would “support” Vice-President Kamala Harris because of her “infectious” smile.