Former Russian leader says NATO aid to Ukraine brings World War 3 closer

Kyiv [Ukraine], July 12: Former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that the NATO alliance's increased military support for Ukraine increases the risk of the outbreak of "World War III".
Commenting on the first day of the NATO summit in Lithuania , where several countries have pledged to provide more weapons and finance to the Kyiv government, Medvedev said the aid effort would not prevent Russia from achieving its goals in Ukraine.
"The West is absolutely crazy, can't think of anything else... In fact, it's a dead end. World War 3 is approaching," wrote Mr. Medvedev, who is now vice-chairman of Russia's Security Council. on Telegram channel on the evening of July 11, according to Reuters.
"What does all this mean for us? Everything is clear. The special military operation will continue with the same objectives," he said.
Mr. Medvedev, who was Russia's president from 2008 to 2012 as well as its prime minister from 2012 to 2020, is now a fiercely anti-Western voice in Moscow. Diplomats say his views reflect the thinking of the highest levels of the Kremlin elite.
On July 11, Mr. Medvedev also voiced support for the use of an "inhuman weapon" of cluster munitions following what he said were reports of its use by Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on the same day that Moscow would be forced to use "similar" weapons if the US supplies cluster munitions to Ukraine.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has vowed to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions, a weapon that has a high potential for civilian casualties and has been banned by many countries, including Washington's closest allies.
Russia and Ukraine have both accused their opponents of using cluster munitions in a war that has now lasted more than 500 days.
Regarding the NATO summit , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 11 expressed disappointment that the alliance did not provide a roadmap for the admission of Kyiv, telling supporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius that: Is this too much of a wish?"
"NATO will make Ukraine safer, Ukraine will make NATO stronger," he told a crowd of thousands, many waving Ukrainian flags, gathered in central Vilnius.
In a joint statement on July 11, NATO leaders reiterated their 2008 declaration that Ukraine would join NATO but also made clear that this would not happen automatically after hostilities ended. "We will send an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when the allies agree and the conditions are met," the statement said.
During the second day of the NATO conference in Vilnius (July 12), Zelensky is expected to join NATO leaders for the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was established to upgrade relations between Kyiv and Ukraine. The transatlantic military alliance currently includes 31 members.
He will also meet privately with President Biden in an effort to find more weapons and ammunition from the US and other NATO nations.
The US, UK, France and Germany are expected to assure Kyiv of long-term security assistance in the form of advanced weapons, training and other military aid, possibly as soon as possible, according to officials. summit ended.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper