Nobody wants to see a nuclear war: Pentagon chief

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is on a visit to Europe making plans to strengthen the anti-Russian conflict in Ukraine, has said nobody wants nuclear war.

“Nobody wants to see a nuclear war happen. It’s a war where all sides lose," the Pentagon chief said on Tuesday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had expressed concern that there was a considerable risk of a nuclear conflict breaking out in the region.

Lavrov warned on Monday that the threat of nuclear war “should not be underestimated,” and that “the danger is serious.”

Day 62: Russia warns of World War III as 40 US allies plan to arm Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned about a "real" danger of World War III breaking out as 40 prepared to meet in Germany to bolster Ukraine

Day 62: Russia warns of World War III as 40 US allies plan to arm Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned about a "real" danger of World War III breaking out as 40 prepared to meet in Germany to bolster Ukraine

Austin told reporters following the meeting with European military leaders that warning others about the dangers of a nuclear war was "dangerous and unhelpful".

“[T]hat kind of rhetoric is very dangerous and unhelpful,” Austin claimed, adding, " rattling sabers and … dangerous rhetoric is clearly unhelpful and something that we won’t engage it.”

Lavrov had warned about a "real" danger of World War III breaking out as NATO countries led by the US met in Germany to plan new ways to supply Kiev's combatants with deadly weapons and military equipment to fight Russian troops.

Lavrov said that sending more weapons to Ukraine was “pouring oil on the fire.”

“NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy,” Lavrov said.

Growing opposition to West's supply of arms to Ukraine

The EU and its Western allies continue to pour hundreds-of-millions euro worth of deadly weapons into Ukraine.

Growing opposition to West's supply of arms to Ukraine

The EU and its Western allies continue to pour hundreds-of-millions euro worth of deadly weapons into Ukraine.

In late March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the West had declared a “total war” against his country, employing tactics comparable to those of Nazi Germany.

“They have declared a true hybrid war, a total war against us,” he said.

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