The speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament warned today that Ukraine is “dragging the United States and Europe” into a major world war, urging Western leaders to act responsibly to avoid catastrophe.
His comments come as Russian troops continue to seize territory in eastern Ukraine, forcing thousands of people in Kharkiv to flee their homes after Moscow launched a new ground invasion in the region.
“The Kiev regime is dragging the United States and European countries into a big war,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma, close ally of Putin and member of the Russian Security Council.
He said Ukrainian lawmakers were trying to convince the United States to allow kyiv to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory.
“This path leads to a tragedy that can affect all of humanity,” Volodin said. “Western politicians must realize their responsibility and do everything in their power to prevent the situation from leading to a global catastrophe.”
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Vyacheslav Volodin, President of Putin’s Parliament
Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launched from airfield during military exercises in Russia
Ukrainian servicemen of the 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade prepare for combat against the Challenger 2 tank at an undisclosed location near the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region
President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine has triggered the worst breakdown in relations between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
In kyiv on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had “neither encouraged nor permitted strikes outside of Ukraine, but ultimately Ukraine must take responsibility itself.” decisions on how it will fight this war.
“We have been clear on our own policy, but again, these are decisions that Ukraine must make, and will make for itself,” Blinken said, according to a transcript of his remarks provided by the department. of American state.
Ukraine says it has the right to attack Russian targets because it is hit by Russian missiles daily.
But the United States is wary of using its weapons in a direct attack on Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power, because of the broader risks.
Putin and US President Joe Biden have warned that a direct confrontation between Russia and the US-led NATO military alliance could trigger World War III.
Russia has warned that using U.S. and Western weapons against targets in Russia could trigger a new level of confrontation — and Putin has ordered tactical nuclear weapons exercises, partly in response to Western statements.
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Ukrainian servicemen from the 37th Marine Brigade fire a 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer at Russian troops, amid the Russian attack on Ukraine.
British soldiers stand in armored vehicles as they cross the Vistula River during NATO’s DRAGON-24 military defense exercises, March 5, 2024.
A lead soldier from B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, looks around the corner of the trench during the combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) phase of Exercise Swift Response, May 4, 2024.
“Any use of American and European weapons to attack peaceful cities of the Russian Federation will require the use of more powerful weapons to protect the citizens of our country,” Volodin said.
His statements come as his colleague Dmitry Medvedev engages in new saber rattling and mocks British Foreign Minister David Cameron.
Medvedev – who was Russian president when David Cameron became prime minister in 2010 – warned the foreign secretary he was risking nuclear power because of his promise to Ukraine that he could use British missiles to target Russia.
He mocked his counterpart for seeking to “fight Putin to the end” and called him a “moron” for his comments.
Cameron had earlier said Ukraine was free to decide how to use weapons supplied by the UK.
“As for what the Ukrainians are doing, in our opinion, it is their decision on how to use these weapons, they are defending their country, they were illegally invaded by Putin and they must take these measures,” he said. he declared.
This appears to change the view that long-range Western missiles would be used on Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, but not in Russia itself.
A video screenshot shows the Borei K-535 class nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky after launching an RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile into the Barents Sea.
Borei K-535 class nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky launches RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile into the Barents Sea
Deputy head of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (right) unleashed new pressure on Ukraine and mocked British Foreign Secretary David Cameron (left)
“I remember this guy very well. I worked with him when he became prime minister,” Medvedev said of Cameron.
“An ordinary, boring Brit.” At that time he was happily stupid and looked like a young devil reveling in his unexpectedly acquired position.
Medvedev claimed that Cameron had told the Ukrainians: “you can fire our missiles wherever you want…we, the British, are not afraid of anything, not even a nuclear conflict.”
‘Cool! You shouldn’t be, buddy,” Medvedev retorted. “I don’t have a decent answer, except for one thing.
“David, you might want to be careful,” he said, before declining to elaborate on exactly what would happen if British missiles hit Russian territory.
Medvedev was the longest-serving prime minister of modern Russia, and also served as President of Russia between 2008 and 2012.
He is now Putin’s deputy on the Russian Security Council, whose secretary is now former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Putin accused the West last week of risking global conflict and said no one would be allowed to threaten Russia.
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