Kremlin: NATO is in direct confrontation with Russia

According to Reuters , the Kremlin on May 27 commented on recent calls by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to allow Ukraine to use Western-aided weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, saying that NATO is in direct confrontation with Russia.

Last week, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg told The Economist that NATO members supplying weapons to Ukraine should “end the ban on using them to attack military targets in Russia”.

Commenting on Mr. Stoltenberg's statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "NATO is increasing the level of escalation. They are going too far in military rhetoric."

Asked whether NATO was edging closer to a direct confrontation with Russia, Mr Peskov said: "They are not coming close, they are there."

The Kremlin spokesman added that “our military also knows what to do” and “the military continues special military operations.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (Photo: Reuters)

According to Tass , speaking on the sidelines of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on May 27, Mr. Stoltenberg stated: "NATO supports lifting restrictions on the use of Western weapons to attack Russian territory, but these decisions depend on each alliance country providing weapons to Ukraine."

Mr Stoltenberg explained that this was to “help Ukrainians better defend themselves” , adding that these restrictions “are only implemented at the national level”.

NATO Secretary General said that once NATO weapons are handed over to Kiev, "they will become Ukrainian weapons and can be used as they wish".

The United States and its allies have repeatedly stated that they do not encourage Ukraine to attack Russian territory. However, in early May, Britain - a NATO member - announced that it would allow Kiev to use weapons supplied by London to attack targets inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West that his country is on the brink of a global war over Ukraine. He has said that a direct conflict between Russia and NATO would mean the planet is “one step away” from World War Three.

Hua Yu (Source: Reuters, Tass)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/dien-kremlin-nato-dang-doi-dau-truc-tiep-voi-nga-ar873667.html