Moscow sent the strongest message to Washington on Tuesday after US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley hinted that her country was ready to deliver a strike on Syria if the UN proved unable to secure the ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the US will face very serious consequences if a new strike of this kind takes place.
“Mrs. Haley should understand that it is one thing to irresponsibly exploit the microphone at the UN Security Council and it is another thing when both the Russian and American militaries have communication channels,” Lavrov was quoted by TASS as saying.
“It is clearly stated via these channels what can be done and what must not be done.”
Haley had made her remarks during a Security Council session on Monday.
The Russian Defense Ministry echoed Lavrov’s escalatory language, threatening to respond militarily if its forces operating in Syria are targeted.