Russian Foreign Minister warned the West not to underestimate the elevated risks of nuclear conflict over Ukraine and said he viewed NATO as being “in essence” engaged in a proxy war with Russia by supplying Kyiv with weaponry.

Sergei Lavrov also said that the core of any agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine would depend largely on the military situation on the ground.

He had been asked about the importance of avoiding World War Three and whether the current situation was comparable to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, a low point in U.S.-Soviet relations.

“Russia was doing a lot to uphold the principle of striving to prevent nuclear war at all costs. This is our key position on which we base everything. The risks now are considerable. I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it”, - said the Minister.

He accused Volodymyr Zelensky of “pretending” to negotiate.

“He’s a good actor. If you watch attentively and read attentively what he says, you"ll find a thousand contradictions”, - added Lavrov.