Steve Bannon warns Ukraine risks escalating war after drone strikes
Key Trump allies have condemned the Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian nuclear bombers, warning the attacks risked escalating the conflict at a time when Washington is trying to keep both sides at the negotiating table.
Steve Bannon, the White House chief strategist during Donald Trump's first term, used a Second World War comparison as he pointed out that Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, launched the operation just a day ahead of talks in Turkey.
'On the eve of peace talks or ceasefire talks he takes the Japanese role in Pearl Harbor – the sneak attack,' he said on his popular War Room show.
He called on the Trump administration to immediately condemn the strikes if it had no warning that Ukraine was planning such a huge attack.
Mr Bannon and his allies fear the world is hurtling towards a Third World War, as China and Russia deepen ties, and flashpoints ignite around the world.
A day earlier, Ukrainian officials said the surprise drone offensive had destroyed or damaged more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia.
Operation 'Spiders Web', 18 months in the planning, targeted strategic bombers capable of launching nuclear weapons.
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