According to BBC, the Russian government has called out the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, Liz Truss, for the high alert on which Russia’s President Vladimir Putin placed its nuclear forces.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Truss’ reference to possible “clashes” between NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military alliance – and Moscow over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the reason behind its move.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Peskov said: “Statements were made by various representatives at various levels on possible altercations or even collisions and clashes between Nato and Russia.
“We believe that such statements are absolutely unacceptable. I would not call the authors of these statements by name, although it was the British foreign minister.”
“This long-running conflict is about freedom and democracy in Europe.
“If we don’t stop Putin in Ukraine, we are going to see others under threat: the Baltics, Poland, Moldova, and it could end up in a conflict with Nato. We do not want to go there,”
It is unclear which specific comments the Kremlin is referring to, with Downing Street and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) reiterating the need for de-escalation.
