Sergey Lavrov today warned that the conflict in Ukraine risked escalating into a third world war and that NATO was engaged in a proxy war with Moscow by supplying Kyiv with weapons and this factor may lead to a nuclear war.
Russian Foreign Minister said the risk of a nuclear conflict must not be underestimated. He also stated that the core of any agreement to end Russia-Ukraine conflict would depend on the military situation on the ground.
Sergey Lavrov issued this warning hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv and promised more military assistance to Ukraine. Austin said the United States wanted to see Russia “weakened” and pledged to arm Ukraine to help it win against Moscow.
The US is also due to host a gathering of more than 40 countries this week for Ukraine-related defence talks that will focus on more weapons deliveries.
Lavrov was asked about the importance of avoiding World War III and whether the current situation was comparable to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, a low point in US-Soviet relations.
Russia, Lavrov said, was doing a lot to uphold the principle of striving to prevent nuclear war at all costs.
“This is our key position on which we base everything. The risks now are considerable,” Lavrov said.
