Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has issued a strong statement warning that the United States and Russia are “on the brink of direct military conflict” due to what he describes as President Joe Biden’s increasingly “Russophobic” policies. Lavrov’s comments, made in an interview with Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily, come just days before the U.S. presidential election, highlighting Moscow’s concerns over Biden’s stance on Russia.
Lavrov’s remarks indicate that Russia perceives Biden’s policies as pushing relations between the two nations to an unprecedented low. According to the Business Recorder, Lavrov stated, “Under the current president… our countries are on the brink of direct military conflict.” Lavrov warned that these actions are creating a highly volatile situation.
When asked if Russia has a preference in the upcoming election, Lavrov responded that Moscow remains neutral. He pointed out that the Trump administration had actually imposed more sanctions on Russia than any previous U.S. administration, indicating a general skepticism that a new president would alter Washington’s approach.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously offered a sarcastic take, noting that Biden had been his “favorite” in the last election. Putin joked that, since Biden endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor, Russia would also “support” her, calling her laugh “expressive” and “infectious.”
These statements from Lavrov and Putin underscore Moscow’s belief that U.S.-Russia relations are unlikely to improve, no matter the outcome of the U.S. election, and suggest that current policies have created a dangerous path toward potential conflict.
