Zelensky's Call For NATO "Preemptive Strikes" On Russia An Attempt To Spark WW3: Kremlin

The Kremlin blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "preemptive strikes" on Russia remarks from the day prior, accusing him of trying to start a world war. Zelensky had in a virtual address to Australia's Lowy Institute urged US-led allies to conducted preventative strikes on Russia so that "knows what to expect" if it used nuclear weapons.

"What should NATO do? Eliminate the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons," Zelensky said in the provocative Thursday remarks. "I once again appeal to the international community, as it was before February 24: preemptive strikes so that they [Russia] know what will happen to them if they use it, and not the other way around."

"Don’t wait for Russia’s nuclear strikes, and then say, ‘Oh, since you did this, take that from us!’ Reconsider the way you apply pressure. This is what NATO should do – reconsider the order in which it applies pressure [on Russia]," the Ukrainian leader added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday responded by saying the statements mark "are nothing but a call to start a world war," which would result in "unforeseeable disastrous consequences."