Russia says it is at war with NATO

Russia says it is at war with NATO.

Kremlin officials have warned that Western arms and aid would only worsen the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state-run Russian media: “NATO is essentially engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US wanted Ukraine to remain a democratic country, but also wanted “Russia to be weakened to the point where it can no longer do things like invade Ukraine”.

In an apparent response to Austin, Lavrov said Russia “feels that the West wants Ukraine to keep fighting and, it seems to them, exhausting and exhausting the Russian army and the Russian military-industrial warfare complex. It’s an illusion.”

As defense ministers gathered in Germany for “very critical” US-hosted talks, Lavrov said continued Western aid to Ukraine meant the NATO alliance had positioned itself as “essentially engaged in a war with Russia.” .

In addition, Lavrov accused NATO of “pouring fuel on the fire”, warned against provoking a third world war and said the danger of a nuclear conflict “should not be underestimated”.

“Everyone recites incantations that there is no way we can allow World War III,” Lavrov said, adding: “I don’t want to artificially increase these risks. Many would wish for that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate that.”

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, said a key goal of the talks is to ensure Ukraine is well equipped to continue defence, including heavy weapons, well-armed drones and ammunition.

“The next few weeks are going to be very, very critical,” Milley said. “You need continuous support to be successful on the battlefield. And that is really the purpose of this conference.”

After his trip to Ukraine, Austin said, “You [Ukraine] can win if they have the right gear and the right support.”