Russia Warns Ukraine's Joining NATO Means World War III

Ukraine joining Nato would mean "a guaranteed escalation" to a third world war, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council has warned, Grace Millimaci and Berny Torre reported for The Telegraph.

Photo Insert: The warning comes after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, announced a surprise bid for fast-track membership of the military alliance at the end of September.

Alexander Venediktov, told the state TASS news agency in an interview on Thursday: "Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War lll. Apparently, that's what they are counting on – to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again."

Venediktov also repeated a Russian position that the West, by helping Ukraine, indicated that "they are a direct party to the conflict."

It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, announced a surprise bid for fast-track membership of the military alliance at the end of September.

The US has already warned Russia that “grave consequences” would visit Moscow once it uses nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Former Trump security adviser John Bolton said Putin himself would be a target once he unleashes tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

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