Russia-Ukraine war: Lavrov warns of risk of nuclear conflict
In wide-ranging interview, Russian foreign minister warns world not to underestimate the ‘serious’ risks of a nuclear war over Ukraine.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he believes NATO is 'in essence' involved in a proxy war with Moscow [File: Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP]
Published On 26 Apr 202226 Apr 2022
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that the conflict in Ukraine risked escalating into a third world war and that NATO was “in essence” engaged in a proxy war with Moscow by supplying Kyiv with weapons.
In a wide-ranging interview broadcast on state television on Monday, Lavrov said the risk of a nuclear conflict must not be underestimated and that the core of any agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine would depend largely on the military situation on the ground.
The interview was aired 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.
During Monday’s interview, 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.
“I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it.”
Russia’s two-month-old invasion of Ukraine, the biggest attack on a European state since 1945, has left thousands dead or wounded, reduced towns and cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad.
Moscow calls its actions a “special military operation” to disarm Ukraine and protect it from Nazis. Kyiv and the West says this a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression on a sovereign country by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader early on in the war also put his nuclear deterrent forces on high alert, citing “aggressive statements” from the West.
Lavrov, defending Moscow’s actions, also blamed Washington for the lack of dialogue.
“The United States has practically ceased all contacts simply because we were obliged to defend Russians in Ukraine,” Lavrov claimed, repeating the rationale for Moscow’s invasion of its southern neighbour.
But he said Western supplies of sophisticated weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles and advanced drones were provocative measures calculated to prolong the conflict rather than bring it to an end.
“These weapons will be a legitimate target for Russia’s military acting within the context of the special operation,” Lavrov said.
“Storage facilities in western Ukraine have been targeted more than once [by Russian forces]. How can it be otherwise?” he added. “NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”
He said that Kyiv authorities were not negotiating in good faith and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a former actor, was like British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in playing to the public rather than addressing the task at hand – negotiations.
“They are similar in a way in their ability to play to the gallery. For example, they imitate negotiations,” Lavrov said.
Nevertheless, he said, Moscow will continue speaking with the Ukrainian negotiating team.
“As in any situation where armed forces are used, of course, everything will end with a treaty, but the parameters of this treaty will be determined by the stage of military actions at which this treaty becomes a reality.”
Lavrov’s comments come after reports emerged that Putin has taken off the table any possibility of signing an agreement with Ukraine following the sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet.
Published On 26 Apr 202226 Apr 2022
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that the conflict in Ukraine risked escalating into a third world war and that NATO was “in essence” engaged in a proxy war with Moscow by supplying Kyiv with weapons.
In a wide-ranging interview broadcast on state television on Monday, Lavrov said the risk of a nuclear conflict must not be underestimated and that the core of any agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine would depend largely on the military situation on the ground.
The interview was aired 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.
During Monday’s interview, 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.
“I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it.”
Russia’s two-month-old invasion of Ukraine, the biggest attack on a European state since 1945, has left thousands dead or wounded, reduced towns and cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad.
Moscow calls its actions a “special military operation” to disarm Ukraine and protect it from Nazis. Kyiv and the West says this a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression on a sovereign country by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader early on in the war also put his nuclear deterrent forces on high alert, citing “aggressive statements” from the West.
Lavrov, defending Moscow’s actions, also blamed Washington for the lack of dialogue.
“The United States has practically ceased all contacts simply because we were obliged to defend Russians in Ukraine,” Lavrov claimed, repeating the rationale for Moscow’s invasion of its southern neighbour.
But he said Western supplies of sophisticated weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles and advanced drones were provocative measures calculated to prolong the conflict rather than bring it to an end.
“These weapons will be a legitimate target for Russia’s military acting within the context of the special operation,” Lavrov said.
“Storage facilities in western Ukraine have been targeted more than once [by Russian forces]. How can it be otherwise?” he added. “NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”
He said that Kyiv authorities were not negotiating in good faith and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a former actor, was like British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in playing to the public rather than addressing the task at hand – negotiations.
“They are similar in a way in their ability to play to the gallery. For example, they imitate negotiations,” Lavrov said.
Nevertheless, he said, Moscow will continue speaking with the Ukrainian negotiating team.
“As in any situation where armed forces are used, of course, everything will end with a treaty, but the parameters of this treaty will be determined by the stage of military actions at which this treaty becomes a reality.”
Lavrov’s comments come after reports emerged that Putin has taken off the table any possibility of signing an agreement with Ukraine following the sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet.
Russia must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and its right as a Sovereign nation to request military aid to defend itself.
ReplyDeleteNo Western supplied armaments are being used to attack or threaten Russia itself.
The Russian invaders who are being daily slaughtered in Ukraine by Western missiles have no business to be on Ukrainian soil in the first place.
If an intruder breaks into your house and severely hurts a member of your family, you are perfectly justified to use weapons to defend yourself.
Before Russia fired a single shot, before February 28 2022, the Yankees repeatedly warned Russia, we WILL arm Ukraine to defend against you. Poo Tin arrogantly dismissed the warning, and invaded Ukraine anyway .
Poo Tin too readily believed his own propaganda that USA, being a declining power, would be too weak to significantly blunt the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Wakakakaka…
ReplyDeleteA regurgitated diarrhea of nth times, based on foul gaseous leaking out from that fart filled well!
Warnings from the Yankee Doodle before February 28 2022?
What happened to Putin's repeated olive leave pleadings of 'dont force Russia to be yr enemy if u don't want to be a friend' since he became the President?
Ooop… never heard of!