Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also cautioned the US not to breach Russia's "red lines" regarding the conflict in Ukraine, alleging that Washington has begun to lose its sense of mutual restraint with Moscow. This was reported by state-owned news agency TASS from an interview he gave on Wednesday. According to the Russian news agency, Lavrov stated that Americans have "crossed their own red lines" with regard to the supply of arms to Ukraine.
They should know that our red lines are not something to play with. And they perfectly know where they are," he is quoted as saying by the report.
Lavrov also said the US was starting to lose its sense of mutual restraint with Russia, adding that "this is dangerous".
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the issue of stepping up support for Ukraine was to be treated with care so as not to provoke World War III, because it will be sad to see Europe gone," he said, adding that the US had a "deep-seated conviction that they are untouchable".
Lavrov said he hoped Washington would realise the potential consequences of supplying Ukraine with weapons.
"I am convinced that there are reasonable people with significant influence left there. And I hope that the interests of the US will be taken into account," he said.
Meanwhile, at a press conference on Wednesday, Kirby said the US welcomes any nation that is willing to try to help end the conflict in Ukraine.
Any country that wants to try to help bring this war to a close and do so in a way consistent with President Zelenskyy's rights, with the rights of the Ukrainian people, his vision for a just peace, we of course would applaud that," he said.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin listed India as one of three countries with which he is in "constant contact" over the conflict in Ukraine, saying they are "genuinely attempting" to end it.
"We consider friends and partners those who, I believe, sincerely strive for the resolution of all issues related to this conflict, primarily China, Brazil, and India. I regularly contact our colleagues on this issue," Putin said, as quoted in another report by TASS.
These comments from Putin were made within two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to Ukraine, which saw him holding talks with President Zelenskyy.
On August 23, Modi visited Ukraine and told President Zelenskyy that Ukraine and Russia should sit together in no time and end the ongoing war, while India was ready to play an active role for the restoration of peace in the region.
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