Russia denies nuclear escalation, but countries should not try its patience. On Thursday, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia would not escalate its confrontation with the West over Ukraine to nuclear war, but countries should not test its patience.
Her remarks follow a series of warnings from senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin that Western military backing for Ukraine raises the possibility of a nuclear war.
“We will do everything to prevent the development of events according to the worst scenario, but not at the cost of infringing on our vital interests,” Zakharova said during a regular press conference.
“I do not recommend that anybody doubt our determination and put it to the test in practice,” she continued.
Russia fiercely opposes Western armaments to Ukraine and NATO expansion near its borders. Finland, which borders Russia, joined NATO last month, while Ukraine wants to join but faces opposition.
“They (the US) continue to deliberately infringe on our fundamental interests, deliberately generate risks and raise the stakes in the confrontation with Russia…” stated Zakharova.
This week, Putin’s friend and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev stated the globe was “quite probably on the verge of a new world war.”
Putin labels the 14-month conflict in Ukraine a “special military operation” and says Russia would use all means to defend itself against aggressors.
The US and its supporters call Russia’s conflict in Ukraine an imperial territorial grab. Ukraine claims Russian nuclear threats are meant to frighten the West into cutting military aid.
