Russian Not at War with Ukraine?
Nikolai Patrushev, the Russian Security Council Secretary and a friend of Vladimir Putin from their days at the KGB, has claimed that Moscow is not at war with Ukraine but is in a “military confrontation” with NATO, and above all the United States and Britain.
In an interview with the Moscow-based newspaper Argumenti Fakti, he is reported as saying: “The events in Ukraine are not a clash between Moscow and Kyiv, this is a military confrontation between Russia and NATO, and above all the United States and Britain, with Russia.”
and
“We are not at war with Ukraine, because, by definition, we cannot have hatred towards ordinary Ukrainians. Ukrainian traditions are close to the inhabitants of Russia, just as the heritage of Russian people is inseparable from the culture of Ukrainians.”
There is obviously confusion in Russia.
Russia Threatened World War Three.
In response to Ukraine wanting full NATO membership, Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, is quoted by TASS as saying: “Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War Three.”
tass.com/politics/1521961
Venediktov drew attention to the fact that if Ukraine joins NATO it will automatically allow NATO involvement in the defence of Ukraine, if article 5 is actioned.
Article 5 provides that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked. Venediktov also pointed to grave consequences of such actions for all mankind.
A report in February 2022, BEFORE the 2022 Russian invasion.
“Tensions have increased after Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine opened fire across the line of control with Ukrainian forces, hitting a nursery school and injuring three people.” This action was a continuation of the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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