In an interview with the state-run TASS news agency on Thursday, Russia claimed that the accession of its former Soviet neighbor to NATO will trigger a third global war as the conflict in Ukraine intensifies.
Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of the Russian security council, described Ukraine’s request for fast-track NATO membership as “more of a propaganda move” and claimed that Kiev is “fully aware” that such a move would result in a “certain escalation to World War III.”
The purpose of this, it appears, is to generate informational noise and draw attention to themselves once more, continued Venediktov. The official underlined Russia’s position that the West is demonstrating that it is a “direct party to the conflict” by assisting Ukraine. The “suicidal nature” of the action – taking Ukraine under the wing of NATO – is a step, according to Venediktov, that even the NATO members themselves recognize.
At the end of September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his desire to join NATO fast-track, just days after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin annexed four regions of the country.
Ukraine’s capital – Kyiv – region was hit by Iranian-made kamikaze drones early Thursday morning, forcing rescue workers to rush to the scene. Russian shelling has resulted in several casualties across Ukraine in recent weeks, following fresh attacks in recent weeks. Furthermore, US President Joe Biden announced on Monday that Ukraine would be given advanced air defense systems after Russian missile attacks.
