Russia threatens 'catastrophic consequences' amid fears Putin could target NATO

On Thursday, comments from the Kremlin stoked fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin may expand his military aggression beyond Ukrainian borders. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the United Kingdom was "playing with fire" by supplying Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles that Kyiv has used in its counteroffensive against Moscow. It was announced this week that the UK will provide Ukraine with the intelligence needed to manufacture these weapons themselves. “We call upon all the citizens of the United Kingdom to think about the inevitable catastrophic consequences of these hostile steps of their own authorities," Zakharova said during a press conference Thursday. While in Ukraine earlier this week to commemorate the country's Independence Day, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK will not be deterred by Russian threats. "I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security," Burnham said. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the purpose of CIA Director John Ratcliffe's recent unannounced trip to Moscow was "to deliver a warning to Russia not to attack NATO countries," citing people briefed on the visit. The newspaper noted it followed American intelligence reports “that Russian President Vladimir Putin could try to test the resolve of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with a limited assault on an allied country in the next few years.” Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, Trump said, "I’ve had good talks with (Putin). He’s not going to be attacking a NATO territory.” Such an attack could trigger Article 5 of the military alliance's treaty, which views an attack on one member as an attack on all members. It has only been invoked once in NATO's 77-year history: to aid the United States immediately after 9/11. A day earlier, when a conservative radio host asked Trump about reports on the reason for Ratcliffe's trip, the president said, “He’s there on sort of, you know, very sort of semi-routine, I hate to disappoint people. We would like to see the war with Ukraine end.” READ MORE: https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/... _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: 13 WHAM on Facebook:   / 13wham   13 WHAM on Twitter:   / 13wham   13WHAM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/13whamtv/?h... 13WHAM on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@13wham?lang=en 13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest:    • 13WHAM Local News Digest   For more information, visit https://13wham.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: news@13wham.com Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700 WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork