Russia threatens with World War III should Ukraine join NATO

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexander Venediktov said Ukraine’s joining NATO can lead to World War III.

"Kiev is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War Three," Venediktov told Russian state-run TASS news agency in an interview on Thursday.

Warning that such action would have “grave consequences” for all mankind, "NATO members themselves understand the suicidal nature of this step,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sept.30 announced that Kiev is officially applying for joining NATO, hours after Russia declared the annexation of four occupied Ukrainian territories. Zelensky promised for an “expedited” membership.

On Oct.2, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance has an open-door policy and every nation, including Ukraine, has the right to choose its own path. However, “Any decision on membership has to be taken by consensus. All thirty allies have to agree to make such a decision,” the NATO chief said, refraining to endorse Ukraine’s bid for a fast-track membership

Venediktov said Ukraine's application is "rather a propaganda move."

“That's what they are counting on - to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again,” he said.

Ukraine’s accession to NATO will automatically change West’s involvement in the conflict, Venediktov said, referring to the Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on collective defense.

Article 5 provides that an attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all allies.

Venediktov said such action would have grave consequences for all mankind.

" NATO members themselves understand the suicidal nature of this step [Ukraine’s NATO membership],” he said.

"In any case, Russia's position remains unchanged: Ukraine's accession to NATO or some other alliances formed under the auspices of the United States is unacceptable for us," Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council said.