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Putin's ally warns the West about the risk of conflict with NATO

One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies has reacted to news that Finland and Sweden are moving closer to NATO membership and has warned the West that its growing military support for Ukraine risks sparking a conflict between Russia and military alliance.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former president who is now the vice president of the Russian Security Council, said that such a conflict with NATO always carries the risk of turning into a full-scale nuclear war, writes Sky News.

"NATO countries pumping weapons into Ukraine, training troops to use Western equipment, sending mercenaries and NATO countries training near our borders increase the likelihood of direct and open conflict between NATO and Russia." he said in a Telegram post.

"Such a conflict always has the risk of turning into a full nuclear war. This will be a catastrophic scenario for everyone," he said.