White House responds to Lavrov's statements that F-16s for Ukraine "can accommodate nuclear weapons" and this will lead to escalation

Reuters reported about that.

Lavrov said that the transfer of such F-16s could lead to escalation.

“We must keep in mind that one of the modifications of the F-16 can ‘accommodate’ nuclear weapons. If they do not understand this, then they are worthless as military strategists and planners,” Lavrov commented on the "escalation" during a speech at a military base in Dushanbe in Tajikistan.

John Kirby, at the same time, addressed Lavrov and said that "If you’re worried about Ukrainian military capabilities, then you should take your troops and leave Ukraine."

He also emphasised that US President Joe Biden and his administration oppose any escalation, including nuclear one.

"The purpose of providing advanced fighter aircraft is to help Ukraine defend itself, defend its airspace and its territorial integrity," Kirby said.

The representative of the White House once again reminded that it is not the United States that spreads nuclear rhetoric, but Russia.

"It’s not the United States who’s tossing around reckless nuclear rhetoric; it’s people like Foreign Minister Lavrov and President Putin and Putin’s Press Secretary Peskov. They’re the ones that are out there bantering around about nuclear capabilities, not the United States," Kirby reminded.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he attended a closed meeting in Moldova, during which a number of European partners confirmed the provision of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.