Amid war of words between Russia and the United States over Ukraine, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the "idea of a nuclear war" is not "in the heads of Russians".

The Russian foreign minister said: "I assure you that we will not allow any provocations to throw us off balance," as the war rages in Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/320-missiles-in-a-day-russia-targets-short-range-ballistic-missiles-at-ukraine-what-is-the-result-458123">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;320 missiles in a day: Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine</a>

Lavrov went ahead and compared the United States to Napoleon and Hitler, saying: "In their time, both Napoleon and Hitler set themselves the task of subjugating Europe. Now the Americans have subdued it."

Last week Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Russia's nuclear forces be put on high alert amid the escalating Ukraine war as Western nations imposed a wave of sanctions on Russia.

Watch:&nbsp;Long lines of Ukrainian refugees at Poland Border

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/long-lines-of-ukrainian-refugees-at-poland-border-458608/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Lavrov said a "solution" to the Ukraine crisis would be found. However, ahead of the proposed talks, Lavrov said that the Ukrainian delegation may have got "directions from Washington" adding that "This country is absolutely non-independent", referring to Ukraine.

The Russian foreign minister said that "there are no Russian troops in Kharkiv" while asserting that Russia was ready to accept foreign students.

"The Indian Prime Minister spoke to the President of Russia. He is concerned that an Indian citizen, a student died in Ukraine in Kharkiv," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-war-russias-hunt-for-drone-killer-uav-concept-revealed-457886">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Ukraine war: Russia's hunt for 'drone-killer UAV concept' revealed</a>

"Destruction of the infrastructure that threatens us will be completed, even if we sign the peace treaty," Lavrov maintained.

Russia has been targeting Ukrainian cities including capital Kyiv for over a week after President Putin last Thursday ordered military operation against Ukraine.

"We can't allow ourselves to preserve infrastructure threatening the safety of the Russian Federation in Ukraine," he said.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Amid war of words between Russia and the United States over Ukraine, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the "idea of a nuclear war" is not "in the heads of Russians".

Amid war of words between Russia and the United States over Ukraine, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the "idea of a nuclear war" is not "in the heads of Russians". The Russian foreign minister said: "I assure you that we will not allow any provocations to throw us off balance," as the war rages in Ukraine. Also Read in Pics | 320 missiles in a day: Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine Lavrov went ahead and compared the United States to Napoleon and Hitler, saying: "In their time, both Napoleon and Hitler set themselves the task of subjugating Europe. Now the Americans have subdued it." Last week Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Russia's nuclear forces be put on high alert amid the escalating Ukraine war as Western nations imposed a wave of sanctions on Russia. Watch: Long lines of Ukrainian refugees at Poland Border Lavrov said a "solution" to the Ukraine crisis would be found. However, ahead of the proposed talks, Lavrov said that the Ukrainian delegation may have got "directions from Washington" adding that "This country is absolutely non-independent", referring to Ukraine. The Russian foreign minister said that "there are no Russian troops in Kharkiv" while asserting that Russia was ready to accept foreign students. "The Indian Prime Minister spoke to the President of Russia. He is concerned that an Indian citizen, a student died in Ukraine in Kharkiv," he said. Also Read in Pics | Ukraine war: Russia's hunt for 'drone-killer UAV concept' revealed "Destruction of the infrastructure that threatens us will be completed, even if we sign the peace treaty," Lavrov maintained. Russia has been targeting Ukrainian cities including capital Kyiv for over a week after President Putin last Thursday ordered military operation against Ukraine. "We can't allow ourselves to preserve infrastructure threatening the safety of the Russian Federation in Ukraine," he said. (With inputs from Agencies)

Destruction of infrastructure that threatens us will be completed: Lavrov on Ukraine war

Russia on Monday decided to close&nbsp;NATO's offices in Moscow after the European military alliance had expelled members of Moscow's delegation for alleged spying.

Russia's foreign minister Lavrov said: "Following certain measures taken by NATO, the basic conditions for common work no longer exist," while informing that the country would be suspending work of its official mission to NATO in Brussels.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-expels-eight-russians-from-its-mission-claiming-they-were-working-as-intelligence-officers-418899">Also Read:&nbsp;NATO expels eight Russians from its mission</a>

Russia announced that NATO's staff in the capital would be stripped of their accreditation from November 1. NATO's information office will also be closed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-president-vladimir-putin-says-that-country-ready-to-hold-direct-talks-with-nato-420565">Watch:&nbsp;Putin says ready to hold direct talks with NATO</a>

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"NATO has already greatly reduced its contacts with our mission," Lavrov said. The move comes after NATO declared it had expelled eight members of the country's NATO mission as they allegedly were "undeclared Russian intelligence officers."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-trying-to-violate-its-territorial-waters-421069">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia accuses US of trying to violate its territorial waters</a>

Lavrov said NATO wasn't "interested in equitable dialogue and joint work" as ties between the Western nations and Russia touched a new low.

"We see no reason to pretend that any change is possible in the foreseeable future," Lavrov said.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russia on Monday decided to close NATO's offices in Moscow after the European military alliance had expelled members of Moscow's delegation for alleged spying. Russia's foreign minister Lavrov said: "Following certain measures taken by NATO, the basic conditions for common work no longer exist," while informing that the country would be suspending work of its official mission to NATO in Brussels.

Russia on Monday decided to close NATO's offices in Moscow after the European military alliance had expelled members of Moscow's delegation for alleged spying. Russia's foreign minister Lavrov said: "Following certain measures taken by NATO, the basic conditions for common work no longer exist," while informing that the country would be suspending work of its official mission to NATO in Brussels. Also Read: NATO expels eight Russians from its mission Russia announced that NATO's staff in the capital would be stripped of their accreditation from November 1. NATO's information office will also be closed. Watch: Putin says ready to hold direct talks with NATO "NATO has already greatly reduced its contacts with our mission," Lavrov said. The move comes after NATO declared it had expelled eight members of the country's NATO mission as they allegedly were "undeclared Russian intelligence officers." Also Read: Russia accuses US of trying to violate its territorial waters Lavrov said NATO wasn't "interested in equitable dialogue and joint work" as ties between the Western nations and Russia touched a new low. "We see no reason to pretend that any change is possible in the foreseeable future," Lavrov said. (With inputs from Agencies)

'No reason to pretend': Russia shuts NATO missions amid spying row

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Destruction of infrastructure that threatens us will be completed: Lavrov on Ukraine war

'No reason to pretend': Russia shuts NATO missions amid spying row