russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-warns-of-nuclear-escalation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a stark warning regarding the risks of nuclear escalation amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while emphasising Russia's willingness to engage in dialogue under equitable terms.

 

In a video interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, released on the platform X, Lavrov addressed several critical issues, including Russia-US relations, the Ukraine conflict, and global geopolitics.

 

The Russian Foreign Minister expressed serious concern over certain statements from Pentagon and NATO officials that hinted at the possibility of limited nuclear strikes on Russia, purportedly aimed at avoiding direct involvement of US territories in a nuclear conflict.

 

Lavrov highlighted the grave consequences such actions could entail, warning that they could spiral into uncontrollable escalation.

 

Citing Russia’s military doctrine, he stressed that the avoidance of nuclear war remains paramount. He referenced the Joint Statement made by the leaders of the five Nuclear-Weapon States in January 2022, which unequivocally declared that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”

 

The Foreign Minister also criticised NATO’s continued eastward expansion, reiterating Russia’s stance that its legitimate security concerns have been repeatedly ignored by the West.

 

He placed significant blame on Western policies for exacerbating tensions in the region, pointing out that NATO’s actions have long been a source of contention for Moscow.

 

Lavrov called on US policymakers to abandon the concept of a ‘rules-based order,’ which he described as prioritising US dominance over genuine multilateralism. He argued that such an approach undermines efforts to build a balanced and cooperative international system.

 

Despite these tensions, Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia remains open to dialogue. However, he emphasised that such discussions must be conducted on terms that are fair and equitable, rather than dictated by any single nation or bloc.

 

According to Lavrov, achieving mutual respect and understanding is essential for resolving the current crisis and preventing further escalation.