Stoltenberg warns about full-fledged war between Russia, NATO

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned about a full-fledged war between Russia and the Western military alliance if the conflict in Ukraine spirals out of control.

According to Press TV, speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Friday, Stoltenberg said he feared that the war in Ukraine "will spiral out of control and become a major war between NATO and Russia."

"There is no doubt that a full-fledged war is a possibility. If things go wrong, they can go horribly wrong."

"NATO’s most important task is to prevent a full-scale war in Europe, and that is something we work on every single day," said the NATO chief.

Russia started the "special operation" in Ukraine in late February in order to defend the pro-Russia population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk against persecution by Kiev. Ever since, NATO allies, led by the United States, have been giving Ukraine advanced weapons and imposing Russia with sanctions.

Stoltenberg's remarks came on the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West against increasing the risks of conflict.

Putin said, "The potential for conflict in the world is growing and this is a direct consequence of the attempts by Western elites to preserve their political, financial, military, and ideological dominance by any means."

The Russian leader once again warned the West against “exploiting” Ukraine and using its people as “cannon fodder” in the war.

Putin has repeatedly slammed those who support Ukraine militarily and financially, not least the US and the UK.

ME