The head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on security and armament, Konstantin Gavrilov, reiterated Russia's readiness for any scenario in response to NATO forces that may be sent to Ukraine. In a statement made on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of NATO's founding, Gavrilov said that if the alliance decides to commit “taboos” by sending troops to Ukraine to test Russia's capabilities, NATO strategists in Washington and Brussels must understand that Russia is prepared for any development of events.
He stated, "We have repeatedly warned that NATO's increasing involvement in the armed confrontation carries the risk of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, with all the catastrophic consequences that would entail, the responsibility for which will fall on them. It is clear that all this contradicts the content of the joint statement of nuclear powers on preventing nuclear war, which Russia adheres to."
Gavrilov emphasized that NATO's statements about its readiness to send military personnel to Ukraine are merely an attempt to “divert taxpayers' attention from their wasteful spending in the black hole of Ukrainian corruption and an effort to prepare public opinion for reviving the defense industry economy.” He stressed that NATO's policies towards Russia will lead to a complete deterioration of the military-political situation in Europe, and this "cannot continue for long."
Finnish Foreign Minister Elena Valttonen mentioned that she "does not rule out the deployment of Western forces to Ukraine," following similar statements from French President Emmanuel Macron.
