Threat of WWIII ‘is real’
Russia warns of catastrophic escalation as West continues to arm Kyiv
mOScOW: Russia has warned the Ukraine conflict could escalate into a third world war as it accused Kyiv of playing at peace talks a day after visiting US officials said Ukrainian forces could beat back Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
The conflict has triggered an outburst of support from Western nations that has seen weapons pour into Ukraine to help them wage war against the Russian invaders.
Speaking to Russian news
agencies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the risk of a World War III “is serious – it is real, you can’t underestimate it”.
While he said talks with Kyiv would continue, Mr Lavrov accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of “pretending” to negotiate, adding: “You’ll find a thousand contradictions.”
For months, Mr Zelensky has been asking Ukraine’s Western allies for heavy weapons, promising his forces could turn the tide of the war with more firepower.
The calls appear to be resonating now, with a host of NATO countries pledging to provide a range of heavy weapons and equipment, despite protests from Moscow.
“The first step in winning is believing that you can win,” US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told a group of journalists after he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv.
“We believe that we can win – they can win – if they have the right equipment, the right support,” Mr Austin said.
The highly sensitive trip to Kyiv by two of President Joe Biden’s most senior cabinet members came as fighting continued across Ukraine, casting a long shadow over Easter celebrations in the largely Orthodox country where there had been hopes of a temporary lull.
Following a weekend full of fighting, at least five people were killed and another 18 injured on Monday, local time, after a Russian rocket attack targeted railway infrastructure in the central Ukraine region of Vinnytsia.
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced the UK would send Ukraine armoured vehicles that are able to fire missiles against Russian warplanes.
“These Stormer vehicles will give Ukraine forces enhanced short-range anti-air capabilities both day and night,” Mr Wallace said.
If we’re going to prepare for war as Dutton says, I’d like to know where the money is coming from. Because with a $1 trillion debt, we’re going to need a missile and rocket capability to defend ourselves against the CCP.
Archie, Atherton
Let’s hope Peter Dutton’s (idiotic) notion that we need to “prepare for war” means he will issue us all with guns. We will be better prepared for a whole range of things beyond war. Discouraging the little mongrels that want to break into our homes and steal things springs to mind.
Sue N, Cairns North
Rick, Redlynch, how has Katherine Devesh “spread hatred”? I understand that she has stood up for women and girl’s sport, to try to ensure fairness. A man’s body is a man’s body, whatever the person inside feels they are. Fine, if they feel they are a woman – no problemo. But that doesn’t mean it’s OK to allow them to take part in competition against female bodies. Er, obviously. No hatred involved so stop twisting things.
Stu, Brinsmead “Economic good times at an end” (CP, 26/04). Exactly in line with the WEF’s plan, as brought to us by ALP and LNP. Juss Sayen, Cairns
Morrison congratulates Macron (CP, 26/04). WEF stooges always congratulate each other. Because nobody else does.
One Tooth Wally, Cairns North
I don’t understand, why have house prices in Cairns and the beach suburbs gone up so much (16.5 per cent at Trinity Beach, 13 per cent in Cairns) when we keep being told that seas are rising? I’ve been told that since I was a child, so they must be going to flood low-lying suburbs soon, right? Westy, Bayview Heights
As usual, the sun came out after a public holiday; just in time for work. Ripped off, Mt Sheridan
Re the great debate: Dennis says if the ALP forms government a loaf of bread will cost $15. Well if the LNP wins, a loaf of bread will cost $30.
Steve, Edge Hill
$150m for this, $227m for that, it’s as if Labor thinks they can make money out of thin air. Yes, I know they can, but all that does is create inflation, making our wages worth less and devaluing our savings.
Chris, Cairns
Joe Hildebrand, a vanishingly small number of people believe in climate change. Most are silent about their disbelief solely because of the screaming loonies that appear when that disbelief is expressed. Nobody that bought real estate on Australia’s coastal flats believes it. We’ve put our money on it not being real.