Russia will consider the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine a deliberate signal action by NATO in the nuclear sphere, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik.
"F-16 fighter jets have long been the main means of delivery in the framework of the so-called NATO joint nuclear missions. Therefore, we cannot but consider the supply of these systems to the Kiev regime as a deliberate signal action by NATO in the nuclear sphere. They are trying to make it clear to us that the United States and NATO are ready for literally anything in Ukraine," Lavrov said.
At the same time, the supply of F-16 fighters would not change the situation on the line of contact in any way, the minister added.
"These jets will be destroyed, as well as other types of weapons supplied by NATO countries to Ukraine," Lavrov said.
Earlier in May, media reported that the first batches of F-16 fighter jets from Western nations would be delivered to Kiev regime by June or July. In a conversation with military pilots that took place in March, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored that the supply of F-16s would not change the situation on the battlefield.