GENEVA, February 26. /TASS/. The risk of a head-on military clash between nuclear powers is alarmingly high, given the rising tensions and conflicts across the globe, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stated at a high-level disarmament conference. "As we approach the 80th anniversary of the UN, we find ourselves in the midst of a severe crisis in international security. The situation is deteriorating at an alarming pace, and the risk of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers is extremely high. Tensions and conflicts are escalating almost everywhere," he remarked.
Vershinin attributed the current state of affairs to the relentless struggle over the global order: "The hegemonic ambitions of some nations clash with the aspirations of others who seek a more equitable, polycentric framework for international relations." He noted, "Those pursuing global dominance are committing gross violations of the principle of equal and indivisible security, neglecting the fundamental interests of other states, undermining previous agreements, and attempting to achieve unquestionable military superiority. This provokes other countries to adopt compensatory measures."
He emphasized that the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East were direct consequences of this situation. "The conflict in Ukraine is a result of the aggressive and unrelenting policies of Western countries, which have sought to erase all aspects of Russian presence from public, cultural, and religious life, while simultaneously increasing supplies of long-range weapons to the Kiev regime. Russia, for its part, has always advocated for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. However, the dialogue must be founded on an equal and mutually respectful basis, aiming not for a fleeting truce, but for a lasting peace grounded in respect for the legitimate interests of all states and peoples in the region," Vershinin concluded.