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Russia will consider the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine a deliberate signal action by NATO in the nuclear sphere, Sputnik quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying on Thursday.

"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 US 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.

He also stated that the drills on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons of Russian and Belarus should talk sense into western opponents about the consequences of escalation.

"We hope that the Russian-Belarusian drills held these days to practice the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will bring our opponents to reason, reminding them of the catastrophic consequences of further progress of nuclear escalation," Lavrov said.