Russia can take measures in the field of nuclear deterrence, if the United States deploys its medium- and shorter-range missiles in Europe or the Asia-Pacific region, warns Sergey Lavrov in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“We do not rule out additional steps in the field of nuclear deterrence: after all, advanced American missiles will be able to cover command posts and locations of our nuclear forces,” said the Russian Foreign Minister.

“They are trying to tell us that the US and NATO will not stop anywhere in Ukraine,” Lavrov claimed.

“However, we hope that the Russia-Belarus military gymnasiums on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons currently being conducted will bring our adversaries in their minds, reminding them of the devastating consequences of contingency further nuclear escalation’ he added.

The drills announced by Moscow earlier this month seem to fit into that narrative.

“The deployment of American missiles is a problem not only for Moscow, but also for Beijing, therefore, China and Russia agreed to intensify cooperation in order to counter Washington’s irresponsible behavior,” the Russian minister noted.

However, Lavrov told RIA Novosti that there is a theory possibility of “accelerating” a political settlement in Ukraine, but “only if supplies of Western weapons are cut off and hostilities are stopped by Kiev.”

China could organize a peace conference involving Russia and Ukraine, the Russian foreign minister said. Sergey Lavrov estimated that the organization of such a conference would be a continuation of Beijing’s efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

“Let me emphasize again that this requires to respect the reality on the ground, which reflects the will of the people who live there”, he clarified anyway.