Featured Image Credit: Russia-1/ Alamy
Topics: Russia, Vladimir Putin, UK News
Poppy Bilderbeck
A Russian state television host has warned Europe and all NATO countries that 'Ukrainians alone are no longer enough'.
Russian President Vladimir Putin first sent troops across the border on 24 February. In response to his 'special military invasion,' the West has enforced a series of sanctions on the country.
While refusing to implicate a no-fly zone above Ukraine, countries within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) have continued to support the country with supplies and more recently, with weapons and training.
Russian journalist, television presenter and propagandist Vladimir Solovyov who is an anchor on Russia-1's Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov has since warned the war is approaching a 'new stage' with Russia's sights set not only on Ukraine but Europe too.
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As per a translation on a video posted by The Daily Beast's Julia Davis, Solovyov stated his belief the 'special military operation is entering a new stage' where 'Ukrainians alone are no longer enough'.
He said: "Now they're talking about NATO countries supplying de-facto their own weapons. We'll see not only NATO weapons being drawn into this.
"De-facto, we're starting to wage war against NATO countries."
Noting how 'not only Ukraine will have to be denazified,' Solovyov explained how 'the war against Europe and the world is developing a more specific outline' which means Russia will 'have to act differently' and 'much more harshly'.
The host explained how Russia would then be 'grinding up NATO's war machine, as well as citizens of NATO countries'.
He said: "When this operation concludes, NATO will have to ask itself: 'Do we have what we need to defend ourselves? Do we have the people to defend ourselves?'
"And there will be no mercy. There will be no mercy."
Prior to the TV host's comments, the Kremlin launched a new major offensive in Ukraine.
It stated the Donbas - a mostly Russian-speaking industrial area in the east of Ukraine - as being its main goal of the war.
However, tensions between Russia and the West have been growing as a result of sanctions. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has even been banned from entering Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also warned that it's not just Ukraine, but 'all countries' who need to prepare themselves for the possibility of Putin using nuclear weapons.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled Russian oligarch, told CNN: "We must understand that, in his head, Putin is at war not with Ukraine. He's at war with the United States and NATO. He said this more than once."
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information