- nextgov.com
VIVA – President of Russia, Vladimir Putin warned that a clash between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would end in a global catastrophe. The Russian President's statement was delivered on Friday, October 15, 2022.
During a press conference on Friday, Putin doubled down on his anti-NATO rhetoric and described any NATO military clash as a dangerous move.
"However, putting troops into direct contact, direct conflict with the Russian army is a very dangerous step, which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope those who talk about it have enough common sense not to take that step," President Vladimir Putin stated.
Presiden Ukraina, Volodymyr Zelensky, bersama para pemimpin Uni Eropa.
- AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Vladimir Putin's threat comes as Ukraine hopes to accelerate NATO membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to request that NATO efforts into his country be accelerated in late September after Russia illegally took Ukrainian territory.
However, NATO remains unlikely to accept its membership. If Ukraine became a member of NATO, it would oblige its fellow members to defend it against Russia, essentially triggering a war between the alliance and Russia that would have far-reaching consequences.
Russia has underlined demands that Ukraine not get too close to the West or officially join NATO.
Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin
- Russian Presidential Press Service via AP
The threat also came as Ukraine made its bid to join NATO, but Western leaders, including the President of the United States, Joe Biden, have rejected the possibility of Ukraine joining, citing corruption concerns.
Currently, many NATO countries provide military assistance to the country. The United States has provided the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) which is credited with allowing Ukraine to launch its retaliatory strike that saw the country retake thousands of square miles of Russian-occupied territory.
However, NATO does not send troops to fight in Ukraine, thus avoiding a direct military conflict.
NATO membership requires the unanimous approval of all 30 member states, a challenging feat for Ukraine to overcome.
Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexander Venediktov, stated that Ukraine's joining NATO would lead to an escalation into World War III.
"The suicidal nature of this move (to admit Ukraine to NATO) is understood by NATO members themselves," Alexander Venediktov remarked on Thursday.
Since the conflict began, NATO has pledged to recognize two new member states, Sweden and Finland. Finland's recognition could allow NATO to relocate nuclear weapons near the Russian border and 600 miles from the Kremlin.
