French President Emmanuel Macron has responded to claims made by a Russian security official that Ukraine joining NATO would lead to a world war.
Alexander Venediktov told the state TASS news agency in an interview on Thursday morning (October 13) that Ukraine's capital Kyiv is "well aware" that the move would mean a "guaranteed escalation to a World War Three." According to TASS, Mr Venediktov said: "Apparently, that's what they are counting on - to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again."
Mr Venediktov also reiterated the Russian notion that by helping Ukraine, the West "are a direct party to the conflict". Taking to Twitter, Macron appeared to address the claims.
Read more : Ukraine joining NATO could lead to 'World War Three', warns Russia official
Writing in English, he tweeted: "We do not want a World War." In a second post, he wrote: "We are helping Ukraine to resist on its soil, never to attack Russia. Vladimir Putin must stop this war and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a surprise bid for fast-track membership of the NATO military alliance at the end of September after President Vladimir Putin held a ceremony in Moscow to proclaim the four partially occupied regions as annexed Russian land.
The Russian security official's comments come as Kyiv was struck by Iranian-made kamikaze drones early on Thursday morning, sending rescue workers rushing to the scene. It marks the fourth morning in a row of the capital residents waking to air raid sirens following Russia’s massive, deadly assault across the country on Monday.
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