Russia warns: the Western nuclear powers are dancing on the edge of a “direct military confrontation”.

Western countries are precariously poised on the brink of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers that could have catastrophic consequences

– said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his video message to the participants of the Moscow nuclear non-proliferation conference.

The comments came after Russia expressed its displeasure at the decision of the US House of Representatives to approve a $61 billion foreign aid package for Kyiv over the weekend.

House lawmakers approved the aid Saturday despite longstanding objections from hardline Republicans; the bill now goes to the Democratic-dominated Senate, which is expected to approve the legislation later this week before giving it to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US lawmakers, saying the bill passed by the House of Representatives “will prevent the spread of war, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations become stronger.” He urged the Senate to adopt the bill as soon as possible.

Cover image source: Getty Images