
Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has warned that if the US launches air strikes in response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria it could lead to a war between the two countries.
"The immediate priority is to avert the danger of war," the Russian envoy was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"We cannot exclude any possibilities, unfortunately."
The remarks were made after a private meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
Vassily Nebenzia also said that UN Security Council must meet again on Friday to discuss the possibility of Western military action.
Top Russian officials, including the head of the military, have warned that US missiles will be shot down and their launch sites targeted if Russian personnel come under threat.
Dozens of people died in a suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump amended on Thursday an earlier warning of a swift military strike against Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians, saying it "could be very soon or not so soon at all".