Russia has cautioned the United States and Donald Trump as apprehensions about the possibility of World War III intensify.
Although President Trump has engaged in discussions with both Ukrainian and Russian officials in recent months, the situation remains unresolved following Russia’s incursion into Ukraine over three-and-a-half years ago.
The prospect of a third World War frequently makes headlines, especially after a US spy plane was reportedly spotted making rounds near Russia, heightening concerns.
Recently, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has issued a stern warning to any nation, including the US, about conducting nuclear tests.
Ryabkov, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, accused the Trump administration of maintaining its nuclear test capabilities in readiness and declared that Russia is prepared to respond should such testing recommence.
“If a country with the capability makes the erroneous decision to conduct nuclear tests, and Washington is clearly in our focus, then we will retaliate immediately,” Ryabkov told reporters.
During a press conference on Wednesday (October 8), Russia’s deputy foreign minister mentioned that progress on a potential peace agreement had stalled after Putin’s meeting with Trump in Alaska last August.
“Unfortunately, we have to admit that the strong momentum from Anchorage in favor of reaching agreements has, to a large extent, been exhausted,” Ryabkov was quoted as saying by state media.
“This is the result of the Europeans’ destructive actions.”
Relations between Russia and the US have seemingly deteriorated in recent weeks after Trump indicated he had ‘sort of made a decision’ regarding the potential shipment of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
These long-range missiles could enable Ukraine to strike targets deep within Russian territory.
Concerning this impending decision by the US president, Ryabkov expressed to Russian state media: “I hope that those who are pushing Washington toward such decisions fully understand the gravity and depth of the potential consequences.
“We, of course, call on the U.S. leadership and the American military to approach this situation soberly, sensibly and responsibly.”
The Kremlin representative then criticized the Trump administration, attributing the breakdown in relations between the two countries to the United States.
“What we have is a building of sorts, a structure of relations that has cracked and is now collapsing. And the Americans are to blame for that,” Ryabkov added.
“I think it’s always easier to destroy than to build.”