Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautioned the West not to underrate the heightened possibility of a nuclear war in Ukraine and World War III, accusing NATO of engaging in a proxy war against Russia by supplying weapons to Kyiv.
In an interview aired on government-run television, Lavrov stated that the military situation in Ukraine would be at the heart of any accord to resolve the conflict.
According to Daily Mail, Lavrov was asked if the current situation was comparable to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, which marked a low moment in the US-Soviet relationship. Lavrov said that Russia is working hard to defend the objective of avoiding nuclear war at all costs.
The Russian official added he does not intend "to elevate those risks artificially."
"Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it," Lavrov said.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine killed thousands of people, destroyed towns and cities, and caused nearly 5 million people to evacuate their homeland.
Moscow views the two-month onslaught as a "special operation" aimed at disarming Ukraine and protecting it from fascists. Ukraine and the West argue that this is a ploy to justify President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked invasion, as per Reuters.
In defending Moscow's measures, Lavrov also slammed the communication gap on the part of the United States. He accused Washington of halting dialogue.
"The United States has practically ceased all contacts simply because we were obliged to defend Russians in Ukraine," Lavrov noted.
He also claimed that Western weaponry shipments, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles, armored vehicles, and powerful drones, were provocative actions geared to extend rather than terminate the war.
According to Lavrov, Kyiv officials were not negotiating in good faith and said President Volodymyr Zelensky was only functioning to please the public rather than focusing on the negotiations.
Ukrainian Official Says Russia Is Showing Its 'Weakness'
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed on Monday night, following Lavrov's interview, that Russia's scaremongering is a sign of weakness.
Kuleba said that Russia's last hope to "scare the world off supporting Ukraine" is now gone.
'This only means Moscow senses defeat,' he tweeted.
Russia loses last hope to scare the world off supporting Ukraine. Thus the talk of a ‘real’ danger of WWIII. This only means Moscow senses defeat in Ukraine. Therefore, the world must double down on supporting Ukraine so that we prevail and safeguard European and global security.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 25, 2022
British armed forces minister James Heappey echoed the Ukrainian official's analysis, stating he does not anticipate an imminent threat of aggravation in Ukraine. He also sees Lavrov's statements as a false show of bravery.
"Lavrov's trademark over the course of 15 years or so that he has been the Russian foreign secretary has been that sort of bravado," Heappey stated in a BBC report.
'What the West is doing to support its allies in Ukraine is very well calibrated ... Everything we do is calibrated to avoid direct confrontation with Russia," he added.
Military Assistance for Ukraine Continues
Heappey has confirmed that the UK will provide a modest number of anti-aircraft vehicles to Ukraine.
It came as Russia concentrated its troops in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, with the UK Defense ministry stating that the city of Kreminna, in the Luhansk region, had surrendered.
While NATO is strengthening its eastern front, Heappey told Sky News that the organization was not offering military assistance.
Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February, however, Western countries have provided significant amounts of money in military aid to Ukraine. NATO and European Union leaders also meet in Germany to discuss future military assistance to Ukraine.
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