The Russian foreign minister said his country was “in essence” at war with Nato following deliveries of western weapons to Ukraine, which it views as legitimate targets.
Sergei Lavrov said he believed the alliance was engaged in the conflict “through a proxy and is arming that proxy” and warned the threat of a nuclear conflict “should not be underestimated”.
Meanwhile, Germany has announced it would send heavy weapons - in the form of anti-aircraft guns - to Ukraine for the first time at defence talks between more than 40 nations.
Also today, the head of the United Nations is over in Russia to meet Vladimir Putin and the foreign minister. Antonio Guterres told the latter there needed to be a ceasefire in Ukraine as soon as possible.
It comes as the UN put up its estimate of how many people are expected to flee Ukraine this year, which is now 8.3 million.
Ukraine’s armed forces say Russian troops continue offensive operations in the country’s east in an effort to take full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and establish a land corridor to Crimea.
