Lavrov: Macron's nuclear rhetoric is a threat to Russia

 

Lavrov: Macron's nuclear rhetoric is a threat to Russia

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has responded to President Emmanuel Macron's speech warning of the threat to Europe from Moscow.

Addressing his people last night, Macron warned: "Beyond Ukraine, the Russian threat is real - it affects the European countries."

He has also raised the possibility of extending France's nuclear umbrella to protect allies in Europe.

In response, Lavrov said Macron's nuclear rhetoric was a threat to Russia.

"If he considers us a threat, convenes a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of European countries and Britain, says it is necessary to use nuclear weapons, prepares to use nuclear weapons against Russia, this is, of course, a threat," Lavrov was quoted by state news agency RIA as saying. 

Use of peacekeepers 'equivalent to NATO'

The Kremlin has already made clear its staunch opposition to any peacekeeping presence in Ukraine following a potential peace deal.

Lavrov has reiterated that Moscow sees no compromise on the issue, adding that it would see a peacekeeping force acting in Ukraine as being equivalent to NATO forces acting against Russia.

France and the UK have both said they would be willing to commit boots on the ground in Ukraine to help enforce a peace deal.