Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States of World War III and said even considering a request to use Ukrainian-supplied weapons in an attack deep inside Russian territory was “asking for trouble.”
Lavrov told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday that talk of using Western-supplied missiles to attack Russia was tantamount to “playing with fire.”
The United States has maintained its position that its long-range weapons will only be used inside Ukrainian territory or to defend the country against Russian attacks across the border, despite requests from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on Western allies to approve the use of the weapons to strike targets inside Russia, arguing that doing so could turn the tide of the war.
Lavrov warned Western countries not to give in to Kiev's demands.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is pictured in Moscow on January 14, 2022. Lavrov issued a World War III warning to the United States on Tuesday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is pictured in Moscow on January 14, 2022. Lavrov issued a World War III warning to the United States on Tuesday. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images
“We have heard speculation for a long time about allowing the use of not only Storm Shadow, but also other long-range US missiles. Incidentally, anonymous sources in Washington say that such work is underway and that Ukraine's request has been generally received favorably,” he said.
“This is blackmail, an attempt to appear that the West wants to avoid an excessive escalation, but in fact it is a deception,” he continued. “The West does not want to avoid an escalation. It is what the West wants. And it seems to me that this is already clear to everyone.”
“For an adult aunt or uncle somewhere in the Western world who has been entrusted with nuclear weapons, playing with fire is now confirmed as being extremely dangerous, just like a small child playing with matches.”
He added: “Americans clearly believe that any conversation about World War III, if it were to occur, would only affect Europe.”
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that U.S. policy regarding Ukraine's use of U.S.-made missiles has not changed.
“You've heard us say that Ukraine can use U.S. security assistance to protect itself against cross-border attacks, against counterattacks,” Ryder said. “But when it comes to long-range, deep strikes on Russia, our policy has not changed.”
“We are not seeking a conflict with Russia. We are simply supporting a democracy that was invaded two and a half years ago so that it can defend itself,” he added.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Russia's invasion of the Kursk region by Ukraine, which began on Aug. 6, could spark World War III.
“Look at what's happening in Ukraine. They're pouring into Russia. There will be World War III,” he said in Detroit.
Responding to Trump's remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Simply put, many Western countries are already deeply involved and directly involved in this conflict.”
“Actions like the attack in Kursk Oblast, of course, escalate tensions to the extreme,” Peskov told RBC. “So it is cause for concern. And in this case, such alarmist statements can be met with understanding.”
Mykhailo Podoljak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, said on August 8 that the Kursk invasion was aimed at strengthening Kiev's position in future negotiations with Russia. He added that Kiev hopes its invasion will “scare” the Russians and worsen their attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said Kiev was not interested in “acquiring territory” in Kursk.
“The sooner Russia agrees to the restoration of a just peace, the sooner Ukrainian aggression on Russian territory will stop,” the spokesman told reporters in Kiev on Aug. 13. “As long as Putin continues the war, you will get that response from Ukraine.”
Zelenskiy told reporters on Tuesday that the Kursk offensive is one aspect of a winning plan he hopes to present to President Joe Biden at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
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