Russia Warns Of 'Third World War' Over Ukraine Nato Bid

‘Kyiv aware such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation’, as Russian-installed governor of Kherson tells people to flee

- Zoe Tidman

Russia has warned Ukraine that joining Nato could trigger a third world war as alliance members consider Kyiv’s application.

A senior Russian official claimed Ukraine knew the severe consequences of joining, as he reiterated his country’s opposition to Ukraine becoming part of the military alliance.

“Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War Three,” Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, is reported as saying by the Tass news agency. Apparently, that’s what they are counting on to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again.”

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, made a surprise bid for fast-track membership of Nato at the end of last month, as Russia illegally annexed four regions of Ukraine, following widely criticised referendums. He said Ukraine was already de facto” part of the alliance of North American and European countries, forged in the aftermath of the Second World War.

The bid came after Russia declared four regions of Ukraine part of its territory, a move which sparked an international outcry from leaders who refused to accept it.