Now Kremlin makes chilling nuclear threat on Britain – as Zelensky says Putin is turning screws on Trump with Kyiv blitz
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
RUSSIA has issued a stark warning to Britain - forming a "coalition of the willing" in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear World War Three.
The Kremlin won't tolerate foreign boots on the ground in Ukraine - and is ready to go nuclear, Putin hawk Sergei Shoigu warned on Thursday, just hours after Russian strikes killed nine people in Kyiv.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
The Russian missile strikes in Kyiv on Thursday morning left at least nine people dead
Credit: Getty
5
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council and ex-Defence Minister
Credit: AP
5
Zelensky arrived in South Africa on a foreign visit on Thursday but is already on the way back to Kyiv due to the missile blitz
Credit: EPA
5
Intense recovery operations took place throughout Thursday morning
Credit: Getty
Shoigu, secretary of the Russian security council and ex-defence minister, says Moscow rejects Western 'peacekeepers' who plan to send their troops on the ground in Ukraine.
The politician threatened Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons - and even revive Cold War-era atomic tests in the Arctic.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Russia's massive missile assault in Kyiv - the deadliest strike on the capital in months - as a move to "pressure" the US.
"Russia understands that Ukraine is standing up, defending its rights and (it) is putting pressure on our people. It is also putting pressure on America," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president is rushing back to Ukraine after the deadly strike.
Across the border in Russia, Shoigu gave Western countries chilling warnings about meddling in the war in Ukraine, in his interview with Kremlin-owned news agency TASS.
He even claimed Europe is secretly preparing for war against Russia by 2030.
On Western troops being sent to Ukraine, he warned: 'Sensible politicians in Europe understand that the implementation of such a scenario could lead to a direct clash between NATO and Russia and subsequently to World War Three."
It is 'more correct' to call such British and EU forces 'contingent interventionists or occupiers', Shoigu said, referring to Sir Keir Starmer's "coalition of the willing".
'Where will these 'peacekeepers' come from?
'They will be units of the same NATO countries, against the presence of which Russia opposed even before the [war], which began largely because of this threat - the deployment of NATO military infrastructure in Ukraine, on our historical territory.'
Shoigu argued the UK had military presence in Ukraine even before the war began.
He said: 'the same British even before the [war] began were very actively building their naval base in Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region [of Ukraine], where they not only trained naval special forces of the Ukrainian Navy, but also conducted their operations against us.
"It turns out that they will be able to return there again, but already under the flag of peacekeeping forces?'
The ex-defence minister warned: 'This is exactly what French President Emmanuel Macron means when he says that Ukraine has the right to ask for the introduction of NATO contingents without consulting Russia.'
"What will these 'peacekeepers' protect in Ukraine?
'The Nazi regime, marches and torchlight processions with symbols of SS divisions?
'Support the persecution of Orthodox Christians?
'Depriving the Russian-speaking population of the right to speak their native language, to preserve their own culture and traditions?
'This is not a peacekeeping mission. Apparently, also for these reasons, the states that make up the real world majority do not express any particular desire to participate in such 'peacekeeping' initiatives.'
Shoigu says Europe is secretly preparing for war against
Russia
Shoigu claimed: 'An undisguised campaign is unfolding in Europe to prepare for a military conflict with the Russian Federation.
'Possible timeframes for such a clash are being announced at various levels - from three to five years.
'As early as 2030, European politicians and the military want to be ready to fight us.'
He said Ukraine is on the brink of economic collapse, and neither Europe nor Britain can afford to bail it out or keep supplying military aid.
He warned Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against it or ally Belarus, and was 'closely following the military preparations of European countries'.
This was a reason the new nuclear-capable 'wonder weapon' Oreshnik had been deployed in Belarus, he said.
5
Trump's seven-point plan
THE US has drafted up a seven-point plan which, it hopes, will draw a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia.
A source with knowledge of the plan revealed the content of the main points, reports The Telegraph: Immediate ceasefire in Ukraine Direct talks between Ukraine and Russia Ukraine to be barred from joining Nato US to formally recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea US to give de-facto recognition of four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia along current lines of control Ukraine to sign minerals deal to share profits on natural resources with the US All US sanctions lifted on Russia and both countries co-operate on energy
Shoigu doubts a new era for US-Russia relations
Shoigu spoke ahead of Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow for "peace talks" with Putin.
He said he's cautious to believe a new era had begun with US-Russia relations amid Donald Trump's alleged pro-Moscow stance on the war.
'We welcome such an approach and are ready for reciprocal steps.
'Time will show whether the Americans are ready to resolve the existing systemic problems which require resolution.
'This is a difficult and long process.
'The history of our relations with the United States shows that we can trust only concrete actions rather than verbal statements.'
He refused to rule out new Russian nuclear tests.
'Our position on this matter depends on the United States' actions in this area,' he told TASS.
'Now, warranty periods for some types of their nuclear munitions are expiring and the development of new types of weapons is underway.
'This may push Washington toward resuming nuclear tests.
'In such an event, Russia may follow their lead as a response step.'
The USSR conducted its last nuclear test on the Arctic archipelago Novaya Zemlya on October 24, 1990.
Thereafter, it declared a moratorium on nuclear tests which Russia continues to observe.
In a period from 1949 to 1990, the Soviet Union conducted 715 nuclear tests.
The threat comes after Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, warned of nuclear retaliation against countries, including Britain, that back the ICC's war crimes arrest warrant for Putin.
He said: 'what may follow the execution of an illegal ICC judgement against a head of state who is not a party to the statute of the court.
'The very enforcement of such a judgement may be seen as a casus belli against the countries involved in its adoption,' Medvedev said.
'It is worth mentioning the danger of such decisions with regard to the leadership of a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.'
He warned that those who issued the warrant 'can and should be prosecuted by the investigative and judicial authorities of the country whose leadership is being illegally prosecuted'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
12 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Reeves to promise investment in ‘renewal' as she unveils spending plans
The Chancellor is expected to announce big increases in spending on the NHS, defence and schools as part of a spending review set to include £113 billion of investment thanks to looser borrowing rules. She will also reveal changes to the Treasury's 'green book' rules that govern which projects receive investment in an effort to boost spending outside London and the South East. Arguing that this investment is 'possible only because of the stability I have introduced' after the October budget, Ms Reeves is expected to say her spending review will 'ensure that renewal is felt in people's everyday lives, their jobs, their communities'. She will say: 'The priorities in this spending review are the priorities of working people. 'To invest in our country's security, health and economy so working people all over our country are better off.' Among the other announcements expected at the spending review is £39 billion for affordable homes over the next 10 years as the Government seeks to meet its promise of building 1.5 million homes by the next election. The Treasury said this would see annual investment in affordable housing rise to £4 billion by 2029/30, almost double the average of £2.3 billion between 2021 and 2026. A Government source said: 'We're turning the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, delivering on our plan for change commitment to get Britain building.' The Chancellor has also already announced some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. But the spending review is expected to set out tough spending limits for departments other than health, defence and education. Although Ms Reeves is reported to have agreed to an above-inflation increase in the policing budget, this is thought to have come at the expense of cuts in other parts of Home Office spending. And sources close to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have expressed concern that the spending review will have nothing for the capital. Ahead of the spending review, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that any increase in NHS funding above 2.5% is likely to mean real-terms cuts for other departments or further tax rises to come in the budget this autumn. The Chancellor has already insisted that her fiscal rules remain in place, along with Labour's manifesto commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. She will say on Wednesday: 'I have made my choices. In place of chaos, I choose stability. In place of decline, I choose investment. In place of retreat, I choose national renewal. 'These are my choices. These are this Government's choices. These are the British people's choices.'
The Herald Scotland
21 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Reeves to promise investment in ‘renewal' as she unveils spending plans
She will also reveal changes to the Treasury's 'green book' rules that govern which projects receive investment in an effort to boost spending outside London and the South East. Arguing that this investment is 'possible only because of the stability I have introduced' after the October budget, Ms Reeves is expected to say her spending review will 'ensure that renewal is felt in people's everyday lives, their jobs, their communities'. She will say: 'The priorities in this spending review are the priorities of working people. 'To invest in our country's security, health and economy so working people all over our country are better off.' Among the other announcements expected at the spending review is £39 billion for affordable homes over the next 10 years as the Government seeks to meet its promise of building 1.5 million homes by the next election. The Treasury said this would see annual investment in affordable housing rise to £4 billion by 2029/30, almost double the average of £2.3 billion between 2021 and 2026. A Government source said: 'We're turning the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, delivering on our plan for change commitment to get Britain building.' The Chancellor has also already announced some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. But the spending review is expected to set out tough spending limits for departments other than health, defence and education. Although Ms Reeves is reported to have agreed to an above-inflation increase in the policing budget, this is thought to have come at the expense of cuts in other parts of Home Office spending. And sources close to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have expressed concern that the spending review will have nothing for the capital. Ahead of the spending review, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that any increase in NHS funding above 2.5% is likely to mean real-terms cuts for other departments or further tax rises to come in the budget this autumn. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her spending review (PA) The Chancellor has already insisted that her fiscal rules remain in place, along with Labour's manifesto commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. She will say on Wednesday: 'I have made my choices. In place of chaos, I choose stability. In place of decline, I choose investment. In place of retreat, I choose national renewal. 'These are my choices. These are this Government's choices. These are the British people's choices.'
Reuters
24 minutes ago
- Reuters
What will be in Britain's $2.7 trillion spending review?
LONDON, June 10 (Reuters) - British finance minister Rachel Reeves will reveal her first multi-year spending review on Wednesday, dividing up more than 2 trillion pounds ($2.7 trillion) of public money between her ministerial colleagues and setting their budgets until 2029. Below is what the government has already announced in the days preceding the announcement: Reeves will allocate 86 billion pounds to fund research and development. The package, funding everything from new drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries to artificial intelligence breakthroughs, will be worth more than 22.5 billion pounds a year by 2029/30, driving new jobs and economic growth, the government said. The government will invest a further 14.2 billion pounds to build the Sizewell C nuclear plant in eastern England. The funding takes the total government commitment to 17.8 billion pounds, with 3.6 billion invested before the review. It also pledged 2.5 billion pounds for a programme to develop a fleet of small modular nuclear plants over the next four years and named Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder. Britain says new nuclear projects will replace ageing plants, boost energy security, help it reach climate targets and create new jobs. Reeves has committed 15.6 billion pounds towards transport projects in cities outside London that have long suffered from underinvestment. Most of the investment was earmarked by the previous, Conservative government. Reeves has reversed her previously-announced cuts to winter fuel payments to pensioners, a move that would restore payments to 9 million pensioners and cost the government 1.25 billion pounds. Britain will invest more than 6 billion pounds in its submarine building capacity, supporting firms such as defence group BAE Systems and engineering multinational Rolls-Royce. The investment, which will cover the four-year spending review period, will help companies deliver the increase in submarine production rate announced by the government. Tax rises are not an option as Reeves has said she only intends to change tax policy once a year, and she has barely any room to borrow more without breaking what she has often said is an "ironclad" commitment to new fiscal rules. Reeves has promised to increase spending on policing in the review, but has not disclosed by how much. She is also expected to announce an investment of 4 billion pounds to build new prisons as the government scrambles to tackle an overcrowding crisis. The finance minister is expected to confirm 39 billion pounds in funding for a new programme to build affordable homes over the next decade - almost doubling the annual amount spent on this compared with current support. ($1 = 0.7399 pounds)
