MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. The US applies double standards when it calls on Israel to use US weapons only for certain targets, while allowing Ukraine to choose targets at will, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Channel One television.

"There is a small difference, as the Americans say that they want to make sure that Israel uses weapons with precision and in compliance with legal norms, while Ukraine can decide for itself. This is a double standard, pure and simple," he said in an interview with the Big Game program.

The minister said he was commenting on statements on the issue by US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

"When faced with criticism that they do nothing as they watch civilians dying (in Gaza - TASS), they said the following, although I don’t remember the precise quote: 'We very closely watch how our weapons are used. We in principle watch how the weapons are used by the Western countries that are provided these weapons,'" Lavrov said.

Lavrov also highlighted a statement by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who recently said the US wanted assurances that Israel would use the weapons supplied to it with precision and respect for international law.

"They sort of laid out the principles on which America sells weapons," the minister said.

However, he said US officials, when asked how they control the use of weapons by Ukraine, say that Ukraine itself determines the targets.

"Even following the strike on the Crimean bridge, that was exactly what was said," Lavrov stated.