Russia has issued a strong warning to the UK and other Western countries about sending troops to Ukraine. A top Russian official, Sergei Shoigu, who used to be the defense minister and now serves on Russia’s powerful security council, said that if British or other NATO troops enter Ukraine, it could lead to a major war—possibly even World War Three. He also said Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if it feels threatened.
Shoigu criticized the idea of calling these foreign troops “peacekeepers.” He said they would really be acting like occupiers and would be seen as part of NATO, which Russia has always opposed being in Ukraine. He reminded people that Russia’s war with Ukraine started partly because NATO was building military bases too close to Russia’s borders, including one built by the UK in the Ukrainian city of Ochakiv.
He accused Britain of training Ukrainian naval forces there and carrying out operations against Russia even before the war started. Now, he says, the same British forces might return, but this time pretending to be peacekeepers.
Shoigu also responded to recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested Ukraine could invite NATO troops without needing Russia’s permission. Shoigu strongly disagreed, saying such a move would only make things worse.
He also made controversial claims about Ukraine, saying the country supports extremist groups, suppresses the Russian-speaking population, and discriminates against Orthodox Christians. He argued that missions from the West are not really about peace and that many countries around the world do not want to get involved in these so-called peacekeeping efforts.
Shoigu warned that European countries are preparing for a war with Russia, possibly by 2030. He claimed that Ukraine’s economy is failing, and Europe and the UK may not be able to keep funding the war or supplying weapons for much longer. He said Russia would defend itself with nuclear weapons if needed and is watching closely what other countries are doing to prepare for conflict.
Russia has also moved a new powerful missile system to Belarus, a close ally. Shoigu hinted that if the US resumes nuclear testing, Russia might do the same. The last time Russia tested a nuclear weapon was in 1990, and it has followed a self-imposed ban since then.
In a separate statement, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned countries like the UK that if they try to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin, it could be considered an act of war. He said targeting the leader of a nuclear-armed country could have serious consequences and that such actions are dangerous and could lead to retaliation.
Both Shoigu and Medvedev expressed distrust of the West, especially the United States, and said that only real actions—not just words—could improve relations.
