On August 27, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Britain and France were "playing with fire," after recent reports emerged suggesting that the director of the CIA warned the Kremlin not to attack NATO during a secretive visit to Moscow on August 25.
Russia said it could retaliate against the UK for providing support to Kyiv, by striking UK military targets inside and outside Ukraine. The statement comes amid Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent comments that the UK would grant Kyiv access to classified technology to allow Ukraine to start producing Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles. France was another country that agreed to provide missile technology.
In response to the latest threats from Russia, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine:
"Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion. Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies."
Indeed, the ties between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and Moscow have deteriorated sharply, resembling the tense standoff of the Cold War. NATO leaders view Russia as a direct security threat, but repeated warnings and condemnations from the Alliance have so far had little effect on the Kremlin.
So, how has a previously constructive relationship between NATO and Russia turned so fractious? Click through this gallery and find out more about why Russia fell out with NATO.