Vladimir Putin has placed his nuclear test site in Novaya Zemlya “on alert” as a direct result of the reactions of the West.
Tensions with NATO is now the highest it has ever been in history and Sergei Ryabkov who is a senior Russian diplomat has accused the West of provocation.
Russian state media TASS reported, Ryabkov said, “Nothing (regarding Russia’s position on nuclear tests – TASS) has changed.
“As previously outlined by the Russian president, we can conduct such tests, but we will not hold any, given the United States refrains from such steps regarding [nuclear] tests.”
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The senior Russian diplomat added, “I’d like to draw your attention to recent media reports saying that the infrastructure on Novaya Zemlya is fully ready.
“This was also in response to steps on the part of Washington which has been focused on upgrading the infrastructure they have at their disposal in this sphere in the past few years.”
Interfax reported Ryabkov’s message posted on Telegram says, “the infrastructure at the test site on Novaya Zemlya has been put on alert, this is a reaction to the actions of the West.
“Russia’s position on nuclear tests is unchanged; they will not be carried out if Western countries do not take such steps.
Ryabkov’s message on Telegram is a warning to Washington and London not to allow Ukrainian forces to launch their supplied cruise missiles on Russian military targets.
This comes as on Sunday the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Western allies that it is now a “critical time” for Ukraine, they must show “fortitude” to bolster Kyiv’s defence by using Western long-range missiles against Russia.
Allies must show “guts” and “nerve” in their support for Ukraine as being allowed to use Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles are “critical” fog the success of Kyiv winning Vladimir Putin’s war.
Speaking at a Labour Party fringe event Lammy was with Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi said, “This is a critical time for nerve and for guts and for patience and for fortitude on behalf of allies who stand with Ukraine.
“I am not going to, as Foreign Secretary, of course, comment on operational detail, because that can only aid Putin.
“But there is a very real-time discussion across allies about how we can support Ukraine as we head into the winter.”
