Russia warns West it could spark World War III: 'Asking for trouble'

Russia said the West could spark World War III by allowing Ukraine to attack deeper into Russia with Western missiles, a move which is under consideration.

President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will respond to the attack on its territory on August 6.

According to Reuters, Ukraine attacked Russia’s western Kursk region, which has been regarded as the largest foreign attack on Russian territory since World War II. 

Sergey Lavrov, Putin’s foreign minister, said the West is “asking for trouble” by considering lifting restrictions on the use of foreign-supplied weapons against Russia.

“We are now confirming once again that playing with fire – and they are like small children playing with matches – is a very dangerous thing for grown-up uncles and aunts who are entrusted with nuclear weapons in one or another Western country,” Lavrov said in Moscow.

“Americans unequivocally associate conversations about [a] Third World War as something that, God forbid, if it happens, will affect Europe exclusively,” Lavrov added.