Referendums are underway to join four regions of Ukraine with Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the regions would be given "full protection" if the vote comes under Moscow's control. Al-Jazeera news
The Russian Foreign Minister said this at a press conference in the city of New York on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, referendums began in parts of Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The regions are partially or fully controlled by Moscow.
The press conference was held after the Russian Foreign Minister addressed the United Nations General Assembly. There, Lavrov said, "After the referendum, Russia will respect the opinion of the people of those regions who have been harassed by neo-Nazis for many years."
Journalists asked Lavrov whether the Kremlin would move toward the use of nuclear weapons to protect the territories annexed by Russia. In response, he said, the territory of Russia and the territories which will be connected with Russia in the future, will be given full protection.
Analysts believe that Lavrov's statement has increased the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons. Just a few days ago, last Thursday, the country's former president Dmitry Medvedev warned that they can use any weapon to protect the areas connected with Russia. This may include nuclear weapons. President Vladimir Putin had earlier made similar threats.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba opened up about Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons and Lavrov's Saturday speech. He termed such statements as 'irresponsible' and 'absolutely unacceptable'.
Dmytro Kuleba said, "Ukraine will not stop fighting." We call on all nuclear powers to speak out on the issue and make it clear that such Russian rhetoric is putting the world at risk and will not be tolerated.'
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