Russia Warns NATO Peacekeepers in Ukraine Could Trigger World War III

Any deployment of peacekeepers to what Russia considers its historical lands could spark a third world war, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu warned in an interview with TASS.

Shoigu criticized Western discussions about sending troops to Ukraine under the label of “peacekeepers,” stating that such a move is a thinly veiled attempt to gain control over Ukraine and its vast mineral wealth. “Sensible politicians in Europe understand that the implementation of this scenario may lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia or even cause WWIII further down the road,” he said.

The Russian official rejected the peacekeeping label, describing it as misleading. “It would be more correct to call such troops invaders or occupants,” Shoigu asserted, emphasizing that these would be forces from NATO countries Russia has long opposed. He accused the West of backing a regime that persecutes Orthodox Christians and suppresses the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine. Shoigu concluded that the initiative lacks global support, saying, “This would not be a peacekeeping mission,” and warned that such actions would only escalate the conflict further.