Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, says remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recommending that NATO undertake preventative strikes on Russia validate the need for a “special operation” in Ukraine.
“By doing so, (he) essentially presented the world with further evidence of the threats posed by the Kyiv regime,” Mr Lavrov said.
“This is why a special military operation was launched to neutralise them.”
For context: During an Australian think tank last night, Mr Zelenskyy said he believed strikes were necessary to preclude any use of nuclear weapons.
He did not go into detail about what kind of strikes he meant and made no reference to any need for nuclear strikes.
The Ukrainian leader also urged the world to “show strength” following the annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
He told the think tank: “The head of Russia is now carefully analysing the world’s reaction to the sham referenda he organised on Ukrainian soil and to the announcement of the annexation of our territory.
“He is interested in whether he still has the potential for escalation. If the world’s reaction is weak now, Russia will come up with some new escalation.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced Mr Zelenskyy’s comments as “an appeal to start yet another world war with unpredictable, monstrous consequences”, according to RIA news agency.