“Quite frankly, if Ukraine falls, I really believe that NATO will be in a fight with Russia,” Austin told a House Armed Services Committee hearing.
"Is this a direct threat to Russia or an attempt to make an excuse for Zelensky? Both are insane. But now everyone sees who the aggressor is, it's Washington," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented in response to the statement.
The Kremlin has consistently warned against the West's continued arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying that they only prolong the conflict, adding that Western military equipment will be eventually destroyed. Moscow also cautioned that NATO countries “are playing with fire” by providing Kiev with arms.
Moscow has repeatedly warned NATO against its eastward expansion, which the Kremlin says could further inflame tensions in Europe. Russia has stressed that the country has no aggressive intentions towards any states, while NATO aims to expand into the post-Soviet space to foment conflicts near Russia's borders. NATO also conducts regular exercises close to the borders of Russia under the pretext of perceived "Russian threat".