Ukraine war: Putin's close ally says Kyiv is dragging West into major global conflict

A close ally of Russian President Vladimir warned on Thursday(May 16) that Ukraine was dragging the Westinto a major global war, and urged Western leaders to act responsibly to avoid a catastrophe.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the State Duma, said that Ukraine "is dragging the United States and European countries into a big war."

Volodin, a member of Russia's security council, said that Ukrainian lawmakers were trying to convince the United States to allow Kyiv to use American-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory.

A warning of use of American, European weapons in Russia

"This path leads to a tragedy that can affect all of humanity.Western politicians need to realise their responsibility and do everything to avoid bringing the situation to a global catastrophe," he added.

The Putin ally also said that any use of American and European weapons to attack peaceful cities of the Russian Federation will require the use ofmore powerful weapons to protect the citizens of the country.

Volodin's remarks came as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the UShad "not encouraged or enabled strikes outside of Ukraine, but ultimately Ukraine has to make decisions for itself about how it’s going to conduct this war."

"We’ve been clear about our own policy, but again, these are decisions that Ukraine has to make, Ukraine will make for itself," Blinken said on Wednesday.

Ukraine fighting Russia in Kharkiv

Meanwhile, in the latest news from the war, Ukraine said on Thursday that its military wasfighting Russian troops in northern districts of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region.The capture of Vovchansk, 5 km (3 miles) from the border, would be Russia's most significant gain since it launched an incursion into the region last week.

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In a statement, theUkrainian General Staff said, "The enemy's plans to penetrate deeper into the town of Vovchansk and gain a foothold there were thwarted."

(With inputs from agencies)