2 Mar 2022 16:29

Risks of Russia-NATO clashes emerging - Russian Deputy FM Grushko

MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax) - Possible incidents between Russia and NATO cannot be ruled out completely, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.

"Certainly, risks do emerge. And of course, we are extremely worried about the program of arms supplies [to Ukraine], and everything is very dangerous in this situation. There are no guarantees that there'll be no incidents, and there are no guarantees that these incidents couldn't escalate in an absolutely unwanted direction, but definitely, we've heard NATO say that it doesn't have any plans or intentions, and this is at least some manifestation of reason. This shows that at least some common sense is present in NATO's actions," Grushko said on the Rossiya-24 (VGTRK) television channel, when asked whether the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO exists now.

"Certainly, we're interested in NATO assuming a position that safeguards their own national interests. All messages at the very top level have been sent," he said.