Russia warns NATO military aid to Kiev only brings WW III closer

Russia has warned against NATO's increasing military assistance to Ukraine, saying such assistance could bring World War III closer.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, said late on Tuesday that the increase in military assistance to Ukraine by the NATO alliance will not stop Moscow from achieving its goals in Ukraine.

"The completely crazy West could not come up with anything else ... In fact, it's a dead end. World War Three is getting closer," Medvedev wrote on the Telegram messaging app in comments related to the first day of US-led NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where a number of countries pledged more weaponry and financial support to Kiev.

"What does all this mean for us? Everything is obvious. The special military operation will continue with the same goals," Medvedev pointed out.

Since the onset of the conflict between the two countries, the United States and its European allies have unleashed an array of unprecedented sanctions against Russia and poured numerous batches of advanced weapons into Ukraine to help its military fend off the Russian troops, despite repeated warnings by the Kremlin that such measures will only prolong the war.

Medvedev also advocated for Russia to use cluster munitions, saying that Ukraine is already using them in battle.

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had said earlier that Moscow would be forced to use similar weapons, if the US provided Kiev with cluster munitions.

Moscow says if US gives cluster bombs to Ukraine, Russia may use 'similar' weapons

Moscow says if the US supplies cluster bombs to Ukraine, Russia may use similar weapons.

The US has announced it will supply Ukraine with cluster munitions that release large numbers of smaller bomblets, which can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Cluster munitions are banned by over 120 countries, including most NATO members.

In related news, the UK government said on Tuesday it will provide Ukraine with more than 70 combat and logistic vehicles, thousands of rounds of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks, and a 50 million pound ($64.7 million) support package for equipment repair.

The UK government also said that all Group of Seven (G7) members were expected to sign a new framework on Wednesday that would provide long-term, bilateral security commitments for Ukraine that would be detailed in due course.

"Supporting Ukraine's progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement released by the government.

Russia commenced its special military operation in the eastern parts of the ex-Soviet republic on February 24, with the objective of defending its pro-Moscow population and stopping NATO expansion toward the Russian motherland by “demilitarizing” the Donbas region.

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