Russia has threatened World War III if Ukraine is granted membership into NATO, a Russian Security Council official was quoted as saying on Thursday, and the media reported, “Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War Three,” The Russian News Agency TASS quoted Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, as saying and Daily Mail reported. “The suicidal nature of such a step is understood by NATO members themselves,” he added.
“We must remember, a nuclear conflict will affect absolutely the whole world, not only Russia and the collective West, but every country on this planet,” Venediktov said. “The consequences would be disastrous for all mankind.” The warning comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a surprise bid for fast-track membership of NATO on September 30.
Daily mail reported that, just hours earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had formally proclaimed the annexation of up to 18% of Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s membership bid was seen as largely symbolic, since full membership would require consent from all 30 NATO members, and ongoing territorial disputes are an obstacle for countries to join the alliance.
President Vladimir Putin argues that during the dissolution of the USSR, it was agreed that no former USSR states joins NATO, however NATO has so far admitted 7 out of the 15 former USSR states. The admission of Ukraine into NATO is viewed as political aggression by President Putin who claims that the West will have extended their smocking guns to Russia’s “doorstep”.
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