joking about the "red lines" of Moscow in response to a question about the potential delivery of American long-range missiles to Ukraine, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Russia's top diplomat said the US was losing sight of the sense of mutual deterrence that underpinned the Cold War-era security balance between Moscow and Washington, and that such actions were dangerous.
Lavrov was commenting on a Reuters report that the US is close to a deal to supply Kiev with long-range JASSM air-to-surface cruise missiles that can reach deep into Russian territory, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr lobbied for Zelensky.
"I won't be surprised by anything – Americans have already crossed the threshold they set for themselves. They are pushed to this, and Zelensky, of course, sees this and takes advantage", Lavrov said to a Russian TV journalist who interviewed him.
"But they have to understand – they are kidding our red lines here. They shouldn't joke with them," added the Russian first diplomat.
Lavrov said that Washington knows where these borders are, but is wrong if it thinks that the consequences of a possible escalation of the war in Ukraine will be borne mainly by Europe.
"They are genetically convinced that no one will touch them," he said. According to him, this undermines all the principles that have been the basis of strategic stability with Washington since Soviet times. "This sense of mutual deterrence – for some reason they start to lose it. This is dangerous," added the Russian foreign minister.
Lavrov alluded to remarks by White House national security adviser John Kirby, who said in June that President Joe Biden had repeatedly said Washington was not seeking "World War III." Kirby then said that a major escalation of the war in Ukraine could have "catastrophic consequences, potentially, across the entire European continent" and that will not be good for Washington's interests.
For the second time in a little more than a week, Lavrov warned the US that a Third World War will not be limited only to the borders of Europe, notes Reuters.
Earlier today, the Kremlin said Russia is making changes to its nuclear doctrine because Washington and its allies are threatening Moscow by escalating the war in Ukraine and ignoring Russia's legitimate security interests.
The Kremlin has not said what changes it plans to make to the policy document, which outlines the circumstances in which nuclear weapons can be used, or when the changes would take effect.