The Russian ambassador warned the US, ‘Kiev inflating the conflict area into World War III’ | World news
Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, has denied reports suggesting Moscow was involved in a false flag attack at Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant. In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Ambassador Antonov accused Ukraine of using this history to drag NATO into a destructive conflict, warning against the grave repercussions such a situation could cause.
“We call on the guardians of the Kiev government to exercise responsibility and influence their ‘areas’ in order to avoid a major disaster,” Antonov told Newsweek. He also emphasized that the failures of the Ukrainian opposition drive them to create a pretext for the deployment of NATO, which could lead to a regional conflict in World War III.
Antonov’s comments came amid a heated exchange of accusations between Russian and Ukrainian officials regarding a planned attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the case public, saying that objects resembling explosives were found on the roof of the plant, possibly indicating a simulated attack.
While the US State Department accepted President Zelensky’s claims, a spokesman expressed concern over Russia’s military operation of the plant. The spokesman warned that such actions not only undermine nuclear security but also endanger the lives of Ukrainian workers operating the facility. They urged Russia to withdraw its personnel and return control to the Ukrainian authorities to prevent a potential nuclear disaster.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed her concerns over the dangerous situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, stressing that there should be a conflict-free zone. However, Jean-Pierre refused to comment on the resolution proposed by the senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, which would treat any nuclear provocation in Ukraine as a trigger for a total Article 5 declaration of NATO.
Amidst these accusations and denials, Ambassador Antonov vehemently denied the role of Russia and called such claims as “absurd.” He emphasized the presence of Russian and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel at ZNPP and emphasized the safety of the plant’s nuclear reactors. However, he acknowledged the vulnerability of other infrastructure such as cooling systems and storage sites for nuclear waste, warning of potential risks of any project impact.
Also, Antonov raised doubts about the timing of the dueling details surrounding the Zaporizhzhia location, linking them to the upcoming NATO meeting in Lithuania. He accused him that the Ukrainian authorities wanted to use the terrorist attack to damage Russia’s name, to divert attention from their own failed attack, and to draw NATO directly into the conflict.
As tensions rise and accusations fly between Russia and Ukraine, the world is watching with concern, aware of the dire consequences that any miscalculation or provocation could unleash. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant stands as a symbol of the dangerous game we are playing, with the world community holding its breath, hoping for a peaceful solution that can avoid a disaster of nuclear proportions.
