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| Russia Says Ukraine Joining NATO Could Cause World War III |
Moscow - Acceptance of Ukraine as a new member of NATO could result in World War III. This was conveyed by the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexander Venediktov, Thursday (13/10/2022). "Kiev is well aware that such a step means a guaranteed escalation into World War III," Venediktov was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency.
"Apparently, that's what they rely on to create information noise and draw attention to themselves once again," Venediktov continued. Venediktov also reiterated Russia's position that the West, by helping Ukraine, indicated that they were directly involved in the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kiev formally applied for fast-track membership of the NATO military alliance at the end of September. It came after Russian President Vladimir Putin held a ceremony in Moscow to declare four partially occupied Ukrainian territories as annexed Russian lands.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has responded to Ukraine's application for membership by saying that the final decision rests with all alliance members.