Russia, US have passed Cold War stage, in ‘hot conflict phase’ now: Diplomat

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says certain manifestations of hybrid war used by the United States and its allies against Moscow are completely unprecedented and did not exist during the Cold War.

Responding to a question during an interview with the Sputnik radio station on Wednesday, Ryabkov said Russia and the United States have "already passed through" the Cold War stage in their relations and are now in the "phase of a hot conflict".

"I think we have already passed this period. Now we are in the phase of a hot conflict with the United States. We are witnessing the direct involvement of that country in a hybrid war with Russia on various fronts."

The senior Russian diplomat warned the continued Western support for Ukraine is increasing the likelihood of a nuclear war.

"Unfortunately, there has been much talk about the risk of a nuclear conflict. It's a rather dramatic issue," Ryabkov said.

"I must stress that the Russian side is fully committed to the well-known postulates, which have been repeatedly stated recently, including at the highest level, to the effect there can be no winners in a nuclear war and that it must not be unleashed."

But, he hastened to add that Americans are "recklessly, provocatively, and carelessly" escalating the situation.

"The way they are blinded by their absolutely absurd certainty about their ability to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia makes one doubt their mental faculties and their common sense."

Russia and the United States, the largest nuclear powers, hold virtually 90% of the world's nuclear warheads.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ryabkov said Russia's opponents were "playing with fire in the truest sense of the word."

"They ought to be aware what any encroachment on our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our statehood [will entail]. If this trend persists, we will be ready to take all measures and to use all means at our disposal in order to defend ourselves and ensure that our sovereignty is guaranteed," he said.

Kremlin: Russia not returning to New START treaty until US listens to Moscow's position

Russia says its condition for returning to New START nuclear arms reduction is that US should listen to its position.

"Underestimation of this resolve of ours is perhaps the worst thing that can happen or, conversely, not happen in the minds of our adversaries. We caution them against making fatal mistakes."

Russia will no longer give the US advance notice about its missile tests as envisioned under a nuclear pact the Kremlin has suspended.

“There will be no notifications at all,” Ryabkov said in remarks reported by Russian news agencies when asked if Moscow would also stop issuing notices about planned missile tests.

“All notifications, all kinds of notifications, all activities within the framework of the treaty will be suspended and will not be conducted regardless of what position the US may take.”

Moscow has halted all information exchanges with Washington under the last remaining nuclear arms treaty with the US after suspending its participation in March.

Along with the data about the current state of the countries’ nuclear forces routinely released every six months in compliance with the New START treaty.

Russia says it can’t accept US inspections of its nuclear sites under the agreement at a time when Washington and its NATO allies have openly declared Moscow’s defeat in Ukraine as their goal.

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