May 16, 2024, 21:14 | Updated: May 16, 2024, 21:16
Putin’s allies warned of world war.
Photo: Alamy
Russia has threatened the West with a new World War III as Putin’s allies warn of a “global catastrophe”.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, warned that Ukraine was “drawing the United States and Europe into a world war.”
This comes after Russia launched an offensive in the Kharkiv region late last week, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
The move put further pressure on Ukraine’s outnumbered and outgunned military, which is awaiting delays in the delivery of critical arms and ammunition from Western countries.
“The Kiev regime is dragging the United States and European countries into a big war,” said Borodin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin and a member of Russia’s Security Council.
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He said Ukrainian lawmakers were trying to persuade the United States to authorize the use of weapons to attack Russia.
“This path leads to a tragedy that could affect all of humanity,” he said.
“Western politicians need to recognize their responsibility and do everything possible to avoid escalating the situation into a global catastrophe.”
The remarks come as Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the United States “does not encourage or enable attacks outside of Ukraine, but ultimately it will affect how Ukraine conducts this war.” They must make their own decisions.”
“We have been clear about our policies, but again, these are decisions that Ukraine has to make and it will decide for itself,” he said.
Ukraine said it has the right to attack Russia because it is routinely attacked by Russian missiles.
But the United States has expressed concern about its weapons being used in direct attacks, fearing it could spark World War III.