Russia warns threat of a nuclear world war 'should not be underestimated'

As Western governments move to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned on Monday that the West was “in essence” engaged in a proxy war with the Kremlin that could escalate into a nuclear world war.

“The risk is serious, real. It should not be underestimated,” Lavrov told reporters on Monday night. “Under no circumstances should a third world war be allowed to happen,” he said, adding that “there can be no winners in a nuclear war.”

According to Russia’s top diplomat, Washington and its European allies are upping the risk of a nuclear conflict by providing arms to Kyiv. In his own words, “NATO is, in essence, going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

When asked about the importance of avoiding a third world war and whether it was possible to compare the present situation to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis – a low point in U.S.-Soviet relations – Lavrov said Russia was working 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,” he said.

“I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took to Twitter to counter Lavrov’s comments, claiming they were simply meant to prevent countries from providing support to Ukraine.

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

 “This only means Moscow senses defeat in Ukraine,” he wrote. “Therefore, the world must double down on supporting Ukraine so that we prevail and safeguard European and global security.”

Lavrov’s comments were made just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and promised the U.S. government would provide more military assistance to Ukraine.

In comments made to the press, Austin said the United States wanted to see Russia “weakened” and pledged to arm Ukraine against the Kremlin’s invading forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine launched two months ago on Feb. 24 and is the biggest attack on a European state since 1945.

Since Russian troops first entered Ukraine, at least 5 million Ukrainians have fled their homes and thousands have been killed or left wounded by the indiscriminate shelling that has reduced cities and towns to rubble. Although Moscow has said its move is meant to disarm and “de-Nazify” Ukraine, Western leaders have called the invasion an unprovoked war of aggression on a sovereign country.

Lavrov, however, has blamed Washington for the lack of dialogue.

“The United States has practically ceased all contacts simply because we were obliged to defend Russians in Ukraine,” Lavrov claimed, adding that Western weapons in Ukraine are meant to prolong the conflict rather than end it.

“These weapons will be a legitimate target for Russia’s military acting within the context of the special operation,” he said.

“Storage facilities in western Ukraine have been targeted more than once [by Russian forces]. How can it be otherwise?” he added. “NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”