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By Dan Gooding and Barney Henderson
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a new warning that the nuclear "Doomsday Clock" is ticking closer to midnight, with "commonplace" talk of World War III.
He claimed Russia was working to avoid such a nuclear catastrophe, and also praised the "common sense" of President Donald Trump.
"Global security is perhaps the most critical issue today—especially as the infamous Doomsday Clock continues to tick toward midnight," Lavrov said in a speech at Turkmenistan's ministry of foreign affairs, according to Russia's state TASS news agency.
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"It is essential to prevent such a scenario, and we are actively engaged in efforts to avert a catastrophe."
Why It Matters
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine's General Staff said last week that Russian forces have sustained over 1,010,000 casualties—killed and wounded—since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Tensions have also risen elsewhere in recent weeks, particularly in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, with both Russia and the United States seeking to calm the situation.
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What To Know
Lavrov's comments come as the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel remained fragile Wednesday, with President Donald Trump saying there was a chance the war could begin again.
"It's become almost commonplace to talk about the possibility of World War III," Lavrov said in Turkmenistan. "That's especially alarming given the resurgence of aggressive, belligerent attitudes across Europe. As if two world wars—and countless smaller conflicts over the centuries—weren't enough for today's EU leaders."
He highlighted some "positive trends," praising Trump and disparaging the Biden administration's "neoliberal, hegemonic agenda."
"There are, however, some positive trends. One of them is the emphasis on realism and common sense expressed by the Trump administration, which bases its foreign policy on national interests—both of the United States and of other sovereign nations," he said.
"That's a key difference from the previous Biden administration, which was entirely consumed by a neoliberal, hegemonic agenda."
In contrast, a Kyiv-based think tank said on Wednesday that Russia was looking to take its aggression beyond Ukraine.
The KSE Institute said that reduced support from the U.S. would mean European nations would need to work together to confront this threat, with sustained funding needed to make this possible.
What People Are Saying
KSE Institute report co-author Pavlo Shkurenko told Newsweek: "Russia is preparing capabilities that are clearly not tied to war in Ukraine, including naval forces for a possible confrontation in the Arctic."
President Trump briefly mentioned the Ukraine war during his remarks at the NATO summit in The Hague, saying: "Hopefully we're going to get that solved."
Pavlo Shkurenko, compliance and international sanctions adviser, KSE Institute said: "Despite Russia experiencing economic problems, a lot of resources poured into its military industry. That much spending in the military sector is creating circumstances for them to threaten Europe and beyond."
What's Next
NATO leaders are meeting in The Hague this week, with discussions around global security and the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East likely high on the agenda.
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