Russia’s top diplomat has warned those who “underestimate” the possibility of the Ukraine war triggering a nuclear conflict, saying the threat is “serious”.

In an interview broadcast Monday on Russian state television, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said avoiding a nuclear conflict was one of Russia’s “key” positions while warning that “considerable” risks remained as the assault on Ukraine is in its third month.

“This is our key position on which we base everything. The risks are now considerable,” Lavrov said, according to a Reuters translation. “I wouldn’t want to artificially raise those risks. Many would like that.”

“The danger is serious, real,” he added. “And we should not underestimate it.”

In early March, a week after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Lavrov, warned of a destructive conflict with nuclear weapons if World War III broke out, according to Reuters.

Concerns about the potential use of nuclear weapons in Europe have increased as the Kremlin put its nuclear arsenal on high alert status and highlighted its capabilities amid the Ukraine conflict.

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian military would use “only conventional weapons” in Ukraine during an interview with India Today last week.

However, some experts have suggested that the situation could change dramatically if the war were to spread beyond Ukraine’s borders, particularly if NATO forces were involved.

“If NATO were to impose a no-fly zone and start shooting down Russian planes, you could see Putin responding with a tactical nuclear attack on a NATO airbase,” said retired Lt. Col. Bill Astore, a former history professor at the Force. US Air Academy said in recent comments to News Week.

“That would put at risk a broader nuclear war, a truly horrible scenario, which is why those calling for NATO escalation and direct involvement in the war are being irresponsible,” he continued.

Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had successfully conducted a test launch of its RS-28 Sarmat nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, also known as “Satan 2.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted in a statement that the test represented “a major momentous event in the development of advanced weapons systems for the Russian military,” insisting that the missile “has no analogs in the world and You will have them for a long time.” time to come.”

“This truly unique weapon will force everyone who tries to threaten our country in the heat of frantic and aggressive rhetoric to think twice,” Putin said later on Russian television.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby noted that the United States had been informed of the test in advance due to the New START treaty with Russia, describing the “routine” launch as “not a surprise” and not “a threat to the United States.” States or their allies. .»

During an appearance on MSNBC’s morning joe Days Later, Kirby criticized Russian state television for discussing a hypothetical nuclear attack on the United States, calling it “reckless and irresponsible rhetoric coming from a nuclear power.”