A Russian state television editor has claimed Vladimir Putin is more likely to start World War 3 than accept defeat in Ukraine. Margarita Simonyan, editor of state broadcaster RT, made the remarks on TV stating that the Russian leader unleashing a nuclear strike is "more probable" than failure.
The comments are one of many from Russia warning the West of "consequences" for interfering with its ongoing invasion. Ms Simonyan said: "Either we lose in Ukraine or the Third World War starts. I think World War Three is more realistic, knowing us, knowing our leader. The most incredible outcome, that all this will end with a nuclear strike, seems more probable to me than the other course of events.
“This is to my horror on one hand but on the other hand, it is what it is. We will go to heaven, while they will simply croak... We're all going to die someday.” The worrying comments follow those of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov who claimed the threat of nuclear conflict must not be underestimated, Daily Star reports.
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“This is our key position on which we base everything. The risks now are considerable,” Mr Lavrov said on state TV on Tuesday. “I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it,” he said, referring to the risk of nuclear war.
Russian troops first crossed the border into Ukraine on February 24, claiming they wanted to "denazify" the country. Putin has also threatened to use nuclear weapons against western powers if they get in his way, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying the threat of nuclear war "is serious". Speaking to LBC recently, UK defence minister Ben Wallace warned Putin may ramp up his rhetoric in the coming days.
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