Russia warned the United States on Tuesday that World War III would not be limited to Europe, arguing that Western countries were playing with fire by considering allowing Ukraine to fire Western missiles deep into Russia.
On August 6, Ukraine attacked Russia's western Kursk region, seizing part of its territory in what was believed to be the largest foreign attack on Russia since World War II. President Vladimir Putin promised that Russia would respond in good faith to the attack. Sergei Lavrov, who served as Putin's foreign minister for more than two decades, argued that by considering Ukraine's request to relax restrictions on the use of weapons supplied by other countries, Western countries were asking for trouble and seeking to escalate the Ukrainian conflict.
Related article: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle desperate for peace talks amid feud with royal family
Putin has said Russia does not want war with its U.S.-led NATO allies but has frequently warned since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine about the possibility of an even larger war involving the world's leading nuclear powers.
According to the 2020 nuclear doctrine, Russia would consider using nuclear weapons if the very existence of the state is threatened or in response to an attack using weapons of mass destruction, conventional or nuclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Kremlin's threats of retaliation and called on allies to be bolder in supporting Kiev in a war. Russia claims Ukraine used Western weapons at Kursk and provided intelligence to help the US and UK track Russian reinforcements.
Related article: Mpox virus is rapidly mutating into new strains: Why we should worry
FAQ
Why is Russia warning the US about the possibility of World War III?
Russia has warned the United States that Western military support for Ukraine could escalate the conflict and spark a wider global war.
How has Russia responded to the recent attacks on Ukraine?
Russia has vowed to push back hard against any Ukrainian territorial aggression, particularly in the Kursk region, and has accused the West of being dangerously complicit in escalating tensions.
Disclaimer: This content has been prepared by a third party. The views expressed here are those of the respective authors/organisations and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, warrant or endorse the content and is not responsible in any manner whatsoever. Please take all necessary steps to ensure that the information and content provided is accurate, up to date and verified. ET disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to the report and its contents.
