Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has claimed that Vladimir Putin placed nuclear deterrence forces on high alert after statements from foreign secretary Liz Truss.
According to the Interfax news agency, Mr Peskov told a press briefing: “Statements were made by various representatives at various levels on possible altercations or even collisions and clashes between Nato and Russia.
“We believe that such statements are absolutely unacceptable.
“I would not call the authors of these statements by name, although it was the British foreign minister.”
An ally of the foreign secretary has since struck back at the Kremlin’s claims that her remarks played a role in Vladimir Putin ordering Russia’s nuclear deterrent on high alert.
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“Nothing Liz has said warrants that sort of escalation. It’s clearly designed to distract from the situation on the ground in Ukraine,” the ally said.
“The Foreign Secretary has always talked about Nato in the context of it being a defensive alliance. Her point is that we stand by Article 5, and that we must do everything we can to help Ukraine short of putting boots on the ground.
“We take it very seriously and want to keep the situation calm.”
Truss who only assumed the role in September has been thrust into the spotlight given the situation in Ukraine, having only visited Russia a few weeks ago.
Given Truss reputation of being a bit of a comedy figure, people couldn't help but find her comments potentially starting a nuclear war bleakly hilarious.
\u201cNaming no names, it rhymes with Triz Luss\u201d— Nooruddean (@Nooruddean) 1646051006
Can anyone who lived through the Cold War tell me if threats of nuclear annihilation were always this funnypic.twitter.com/izrSQ69V8H— James Felton (@James Felton) 1646050837
Cheers @trussliz #ResignLizTrusspic.twitter.com/nI3PLMOc7t— Duffeh | \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Duffeh | \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1646048238
The reason why Putin put his nuclear forces on heightened alert is because Liz Truss wouldn't shut her mouth \n\nI'm not kidding, the Kremlin themselves said that was the reason. Buffoons like her in our government doing more harm than good.pic.twitter.com/XTwtXXwOsR— Jenny\u2728 (@Jenny\u2728) 1646049039
Liz Truss condemning the country to nuclear incineration is the most fitting UK series finale I can possibly think of.https://twitter.com/Duffeh_Leeds/status/1498261022196576258\u00a0\u2026— Mr Demos of Pnyx (@Mr Demos of Pnyx) 1646049188
Did I hear it wrong? Just on BBC news: Putin said his statement of Nuclear alert was made because of UK's Foreign Secretary.\n\nSo not The EU nor the west, but UK's very busy photo op queen - Liz Truss.\n\nWe are so embarassing— FrogyUK\ud83c\udf33\ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc9a\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83d\udc99\ud83d\ude37\ud83c\udf3b (@FrogyUK\ud83c\udf33\ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc9a\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83d\udc99\ud83d\ude37\ud83c\udf3b) 1646048225
Okay, who had Liz Truss causing Russia to go to high nuclear readiness on their 2022 bingo card?pic.twitter.com/ptmws9KUyO— Tom Martin (@Tom Martin) 1646049200
Oh dear @trussliz is this statement correct!!!!! Putin has put the world on standby for a nuclear attack because of YOU!!!!https://twitter.com/frogyuk/status/1498260968056528898\u00a0\u2026— Lem-Sip \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udf4b\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udcbb\u2328\ufe0f\ud83d\udc89\u2618\ufe0f\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\udf3b (@Lem-Sip \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udf4b\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udcbb\u2328\ufe0f\ud83d\udc89\u2618\ufe0f\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\udf3b) 1646048839
So Liz Truss prompted Putin's threat of nuclear obliteration.pic.twitter.com/O9kL30yZhx— @MilitaryHistoryChap \ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99 (@@MilitaryHistoryChap \ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99) 1646046199
i honestly burst out laughing. how did i end up one of the most ridiculous timelines possible?https://twitter.com/Independent/status/1498265347824177154\u00a0\u2026— Graham MacAree (@Graham MacAree) 1646049628
Additional reporting from PA.
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