Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleges that the outgoing U.S. administration under President Joe Biden is deliberately worsening Eastern European tensions to undermine the upcoming Trump administration.
Breitbart reported that Russia has voiced strong concerns regarding the U.S.'s recent actions in Ukraine. Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, has openly accused President Biden of attempting to create a more challenging and volatile geopolitical landscape for President-elect Donald Trump.
This accusation comes in the context of heightened military activities in Eastern Europe, including recent military aid allegedly authorized by Biden.
Lavrov specifically discussed unconfirmed reports that Biden had approved the use of the ATACMS missile system by Ukraine. This advanced military technology could potentially target locations deep within Russia, escalating the conflict further.
Just last week, Russia claimed that Ukraine, utilizing this system, attacked Bryansk—a significant escalation if confirmed.
The situation escalated when Lavrov said this past Friday that Biden's administration was not only approving dangerous weapon systems but might also be planning to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel land mines. This would represent a significant increase in military support for Ukraine, a move Russia views as a direct provocation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing these tensions, described any long-range missile attacks as crossing a "red line".
It was shortly after an unspecified breach of this threshold that Russia launched a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, revealing the deployment of a new type of weapon—a hypersonic Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), named "Oreshnik".
In a display of military might, this missile, initially thought to be an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), was confirmed by Putin to be hypersonic, emphasizing its advanced capabilities without any existing countermeasures. Putin's declaration underscores the seriousness with which Russia views the conflict's escalation.
Further intensifying the blame, Lavrov criticized the Biden administration for allowing the UK and France to use Storm Shadows and SCALP missiles in the region. He argued that these actions are meant to leave a problematic inheritance for Trump, potentially locking the new administration into a more aggressive policy stance.
At a press briefing, Lavrov expressed dismay at the continued support from Biden's team for military confrontation rather than pursuing peace negotiations, which Moscow prefers.
This prolonged support for conflict comes as Russia faces international isolation due to its actions in Ukraine, particularly around the Donbass region, where proxy warfare has persisted for more than a decade.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s top spokesman, echoed Lavrov's sentiments by accusing the Biden administration of prolonging the war in Ukraine. He emphasized that this approach appears strategically designed to tire Russia, complicating Putin's military objectives and undermining Russia's position internationally.
Despite these heated exchanges, Peskov notes that the Kremlin remains open to negotiating with the Trump administration.
He hinted at potential land concessions, which could be part of upcoming discussions, aiming to find some footing for dialogue amid the ongoing hostility.
After Trump's victory was declared, Russian authorities hesitated to congratulate him, attributed to the "unfriendly" relations under the Biden administration.
Nonetheless, Putin subsequently praised Trump, notably referencing his courageous conduct during an assassination attempt in July, which Putin found particularly impressive.
Lavrov and Peskov's statements underline a deep-seated belief that Biden’s exit could represent an opportunity for mitigating tensions. However, they also express caution, suggesting any imprudent decisions now could have long-lasting impacts on global peace and security.