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Risks of Russia-NATO clash do exist — deputy foreign minister

At the same time, Alexander Grushko emphasized that Russia turned an attentive ear to NATO’s statement the alliance had no plans for military intervention

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Risks of a clash between Russian and NATO forces do exist. There are no guarantees some incidents will not take place, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on the Rossiya-24 round-the-clock television news channel on Wednesday.

"Risks do emerge. Of course, we are worried by weapons supplies. All this is very dangerous," he said. "There are no guarantees some incidents will not occur."

At the same time, Grushko added that Russia turned an attentive ear to NATO’s statement the alliance had no plans for military intervention.

"This is an indication that some common sense is present in NATO’s actions. We are interested in NATO taking a position that would protect own national interests," Grushko said. "All messages to this effect were sent at the summit level."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 launched a special military operation in Ukraine following a request for assistance from the leaders of the Donbass republics. He said Moscow had no plans for an occupation of Ukrainian territories. The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces are not attacking cities. The smart weapons are used solely against military infrastructures. The civilian population is not in danger.