Russia warns the world is on the brink of a 'direct military clash' between nuclear powers
==========

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warns of a potential 'direct military clash' between Russia and Western nuclear powers. The warning comes after the US House of Representatives passed a $61 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, which Russia reacted angrily to. Russian forces have been making gains in the Donbas region, and Ukraine is in need of more air defense systems, artillery, and ammunition. Lavrov also criticizes the support of nuclear powers France, the US, and the UK for Ukraine, calling it a serious strategic risk for Russia. The Kremlin says any move by the US to seize frozen Russian assets would be illegal and set a dangerous precedent. The aid package for Ukraine has been passed by the House of Representatives and now proceeds to the Senate for approval. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses gratitude for the aid package and urges the Senate to pass it quickly. The aid is crucial for Ukraine, whose forces have been rationing their usage of shells due to shortages of supplies. Russia claims to have taken control of the village of Novomykhailivka, the second advance it has announced in two days. The Russian gains highlight the urgency for Ukraine to receive the new US military aid. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports that global military spending reached a record high of $2.44 trillion in 2023, with Ukraine and Russia topping the list for countries that increased their military spending the most. The head of Ukrainian military intelligence warns of a difficult period on the front in mid-May and early June when Russia is expected to launch a new and wider offensive. The article also mentions that the arena of arms control has become a frequent bone of contention between the West and Russia, with several arms treaties between the US and Russia abandoned or close to collapse.

#Russia #Ukraine #NuclearPowers #ForeignAid #MilitaryClash #DonbasRegion #AirDefenseSystems #Artillery #Ammunition #FrozenAssets #UsSenate #MilitarySpending #Offensive #ArmsControl

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/22/ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html