Russia does not intend to follow the path of nuclear escalation in its confrontation with the West over Ukraine, but others should not test its patience, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today.
Her remarks come after a flurry of warnings from senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, that Western military support for Ukraine increases the risks of a catastrophic nuclear conflict.
“We will do anything to prevent a worst-case scenario, but not at the cost of violating our vital interests,” Zakharova said in her regular briefing.
“I would not advise anyone to question our resolve and attempt to put it to the test,” she added.
Russia has sharply criticized the West for supplying Ukraine with arms and expanding the NATO military alliance closer to its borders. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, this month became NATO’s 31st member, while Ukraine also wants to join, although some countries oppose the prospect.
“They (the United States) continue to deliberately violate our fundamental interests, deliberately create risks and increase the chances of a conflict with Russia,” Zakharova said.
Former Russian President Dmitry Menvedev, a close ally of Putin, said earlier this week that the world is “very likely on the brink of a new world war.”
Russia does not intend to follow the path of nuclear escalation in its confrontation with the West over Ukraine, but others should not test its patience, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today.
Her remarks come after a flurry of warnings from senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, that Western military support for Ukraine increases the risks of a catastrophic nuclear conflict.
“We will do anything to prevent a worst-case scenario, but not at the cost of violating our vital interests,” Zakharova said in her regular briefing.
“I would not advise anyone to question our resolve and attempt to put it to the test,” she added.
Russia has sharply criticized the West for supplying Ukraine with arms and expanding the NATO military alliance closer to its borders. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, this month became NATO’s 31st member, while Ukraine also wants to join, although some countries oppose the prospect.
“They (the United States) continue to deliberately violate our fundamental interests, deliberately create risks and increase the chances of a conflict with Russia,” Zakharova said.
Former Russian President Dmitry Menvedev, a close ally of Putin, said earlier this week that the world is “very likely on the brink of a new world war.”
Russia does not intend to follow the path of nuclear escalation in its confrontation with the West over Ukraine, but others should not test its patience, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today.
Her remarks come after a flurry of warnings from senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, that Western military support for Ukraine increases the risks of a catastrophic nuclear conflict.
“We will do anything to prevent a worst-case scenario, but not at the cost of violating our vital interests,” Zakharova said in her regular briefing.
“I would not advise anyone to question our resolve and attempt to put it to the test,” she added.
Russia has sharply criticized the West for supplying Ukraine with arms and expanding the NATO military alliance closer to its borders. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, this month became NATO’s 31st member, while Ukraine also wants to join, although some countries oppose the prospect.
“They (the United States) continue to deliberately violate our fundamental interests, deliberately create risks and increase the chances of a conflict with Russia,” Zakharova said.
Former Russian President Dmitry Menvedev, a close ally of Putin, said earlier this week that the world is “very likely on the brink of a new world war.”
