Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations said today that any decision by US President-elect Donald Trump to cut aid to Ukraine would be a “death sentence” for the country’s military, while accusing Kiev of trying to drag the countries of NATO in open conflict with Russia.

Speaking at the UN Security Council, Dmitri Poliansky accused the outgoing US administration of President Joe Biden of trying through its growing support for Ukraine “to create a nest, both in Russia and in the new White House team”.

Polianksi said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was horrified by Trump’s return to the presidency in January, and with good reason. “Even if we ignore the prediction that Donald Trump will cut aid to Ukraine, which for the Ukrainian military would be effectively a death sentence, it is becoming increasingly clear that he and his team will demand that aid to Kiev be controlled “, he added.

Trump associates did not respond to a request for comment on the statements.

Three sources earlier told Reuters that Trump was considering appointing retired General Keith Kellogg, who has presented him with a plan to end the war, as his special envoy for Ukraine. This plan includes freezing the front lines and forcing Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.

Poliansky commented that Russia has repeatedly offered to negotiate but Ukraine and its Western backers preferred escalation. He also warned that the decision by the Biden administration and its European allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory “brought the world to the brink of global nuclear conflict.”

“Every wave of escalation from the West will be met with determination. I will be honest, we believe it is our right to use our weapons against the military installations of those countries that allow the use of weapons against our installations,” he added

Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood told the same meeting that Washington would continue to provide Ukraine with assistance, including anti-aircraft assets, to strengthen its capabilities and be in the best possible position on the battlefield.