Conflicts & War

Russian world war threat stems from sense of defeat in Ukraine: Kuleba

Kyiv, Apr 26 (EFE).- Russia claiming that there is a “real” danger of a third world war meant that Moscow was sensing defeat in the battle in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday.

Kuleba responded to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, who warned of the danger of a nuclear war which, he said, “is serious, is real (and) should not be underestimated.”

In an interview broadcast on state television on Monday, Lavrov said any agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine would depend on the military situation on the ground.

He warned the world not to underestimate the risk of a nuclear conflict and accused the United States-led NATO of “pouring oil on the fire” by supplying weapons to Kyiv.

He said Russia would treat weapons supplied by Western countries as “a legitimate target.”

Lavrov said Russia was trying 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.

He said he was not elevating the risks artificially. “Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it.”

Kuleba responded with a tweet.

“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,” Kuleba wrote.

“Therefore, the world must double down on supporting Ukraine so that we prevail and safeguard European and global security.”

Lavrov’s statements and Kuleba’s response came shortly before United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres began his trip to Moscow.

Guterres is scheduled to meet with the Russian foreign minister and President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

Guterres will also visit Ukraine and have a working meeting with Kuleba on Thursday. He will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. EFE

rml-int/ssk

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