Chances of Clash Between Russia and NATO Increasing: Russian Diplomat

The Russian Defense Ministry began three days of nuclear drills to practice preparing and deploying nuclear forces amid what it termed threats of aggression.

Russia's new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is test launched at an unspecified location in Russia, in this image made from video provided by Russia on May 12, 2026. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

A senior Russian diplomat has said that the chances of a clash between Russia and NATO are increasing, with a risk of “potentially catastrophic” consequences.

In an interview with Russian state-run news agency TASS published on May 19, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov highlighted what he called an “escalatory narrative” from Europe about “the looming threat of a high-intensity war” with Russia.