MOSCOW: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has warned that growing divisions among nuclear-armed states are increasing the risk of direct armed confrontation with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Speaking at a roundtable on strategic stability during the International Security Forum in Russia, Ryabkov said tensions among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council had deepened due to what he described as “destructive actions” by the collective West.

Ryabkov further added that the widening rift has escalated strategic risks and raised the possibility of direct military conflict between nuclear powers.

The International Security Forum, held under the auspices of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, opened on Tuesday (May 26) with participants from around 120 countries discussing international security, traditional values, and geopolitical challenges.

(With inputs from the Embassy of Russia in Nepal and Russian News Agency/TASS)