Russia is willing to use nuclear weapons on Britain if it is subjected to western aggression, one of Vladimir Putin’s top officials said in a threat against the “coalition of the willing”.
Sergei Shoigu, the ex-defence minister, said that Russia will not tolerate foreign boots on the ground in Ukraine.
He said this provocation could lead to World War Three, as the Kremlin is ready to use nuclear weapons and revive Cold War-era atomic tests.
Shoigu cited amendments to Moscow's nuclear doctrine approved by President Vladimir Putin last November that could allow for the Kremlin to strike.
Shoigu said this provocation could lead to World War Three
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Under the updated terms, Russia could respond if an attack on itself or its ally Belarus “created a critical threat to their sovereignty and (or) their territorial integrity.”
Speaking to the TASS state news agency, he said: “Our country considers it legitimate to take symmetric and asymmetric measures necessary to suppress such actions and prevent their recurrence.
“Sensible politicians in Europe understand that the implementation of such a scenario [putting Western troops on the ground in Ukraine] could lead to a direct clash between NATO and Russia and subsequently to World War Three.”
Referring to Sir Keir Starmer’s “coalition of the willing” - a group of countries that would safeguard a potential deal to end Russia's war on Ukraine - Shoigu instead branded them “a contingent of interventionists or occupiers”.
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Shoigu cited amendments to Moscow's nuclear doctrine approved by President Vladimir Putin last November that could allow for the Kremlin to strike
Getty“Where will these 'peacekeepers' come from?” he questioned, and added that Russia believes that the coalition’s real intention is to control Ukraine’s mineral resources.
He argued the UK had a military presence in Ukraine well before the war had even begun.
Shoigu said: “The same British even before the [war] began were very actively building their naval base in Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region [of Ukraine], where they not only trained naval special forces of the Ukrainian Navy, but also conducted their operations against us.
“It turns out that they will be able to return there again, but already under the flag of peacekeeping forces?”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia’s recent missile strike on Kyiv - which left at least nine dead - was carried out to “pressure” the US.
Last month, Starmer announced a four-point plan to work with Ukraine to end the war and defend the country from Russia
PA“Russia understands that Ukraine is standing up, defending its rights and (it) is putting pressure on our people. It is also putting pressure on America,” he said.
Last month, Starmer announced a four-point plan to work with Ukraine to end the war and defend the country from Russia.
The UK, France and other countries will step up their efforts in a “coalition of the willing” and seek to involve the US in their support for Ukraine
"We are all working together in Europe in order to find a basis for cooperation with America for a true peace and guaranteed security," Zelensky said after the announcement.
