Russia has criticized the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine and NATO’s expansion towards its borders. However, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that Russia does not intend to escalate the situation into a nuclear conflict. She warned others not to test Russia’s patience, stating that they will do everything to prevent the worst-case scenario. Zakharova added that Russia is determined and will not allow anyone to infringe on its vital interests.
Russia has strongly criticized Western military support for Ukraine and Finland’s recent addition as the 31st member of NATO. Ukraine also wants to join but faces opposition from some countries. Zakharova accused the United States of deliberately infringing on their fundamental interests and raising the stakes in confrontation with Russia.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned that the world is “quite probably on the verge of a new world war.” Meanwhile, Putin casts the war in Ukraine as an existential battle with an aggressive and arrogant West. He has vowed to use all available means to protect Russia against any aggressor.
The United States and its allies have condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine as an imperial land grab. Ukraine has vowed to fight until all Russian troops withdraw from its territory and says that Russian rhetoric on nuclear war aims to intimidate the West into curbing military aid.
Overall, Russia is against Western military support for Ukraine and NATO’s expansion towards its borders. They do not want to escalate the situation into a nuclear conflict, but they will defend their vital interests.
