The West is only pushing the conflict in Ukraine to further escalation by continuing to supply Kyiv with weapons, former Indian Ambassador to Russia Kanwal Sibal told Kommersant. According to the ex-diplomat, Western countries are thus trying to test Moscow’s red lines.
According to him, Russia’s revision of its nuclear doctrine “speaks to the ever-greater scale of the Ukrainian crisis.” He noted that Moscow took this step because of the delivery of F-16 fighters, long-range missiles and other weapons to Kiev, the supplies of which the Russian side had repeatedly warned the West about.
Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov, speaking in the State Duma, said that the Russian side should be prepared for a long-term confrontation with the United States . He emphasized that a “substantive analysis” of the situation and an exchange of opinions on the prospects for improving relations with Washington were conducted with the deputies.
The deputy minister also added that Russia is sending all warning signals to its adversary. Ryabkov called on Washington not to underestimate Moscow’s determination.
Before this, the Deputy Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that President Vladimir Putin had given clear directions for updating the Russian nuclear doctrine . The Minister added that a corresponding decree is currently awaited, after the publication of which the discussion of the topic can be continued.