Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke as Moscow's soldiers smashed Ukrainian defences close to Kharkiv, the country's second largest city.
The attack has forced more than 6,000 Ukrainians to flee their homes to escape the enemy advance.
Lavrov warned that Russia was ready for direct conflict with Western troops if they were sent to defend Ukrainian soil.
He said of the choice facing Nato powers: "It's their right. If they want it to be on the battlefield, it will be on the battlefield."
He spoke after Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he would host Western nuclear weapons should war break out.
Mr Kristersson said: "Should the very worst happen, the democratic countries in our part of the world must be able to defend themselves.
Destroyer
"Our entire Nato membership and Swedish defence aim is to prevent that situation from occurring.
"If Ukraine had been a member of Nato, they would not have been attacked by Russia."
Western allies were surprised after Vladimir Putin sacked his veteran defence minister Sergei Shoigu and replaced him with deputy prime minister Andrei Belousov.
Bu hikaye Daily Express dergisinin May 14, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Daily Express dergisinin May 14, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Stars come out for Rafa's moving day on favourite stage
BUT HE WON'T SAY IF IT'S HIS FINAL SHOT AT PARIS CROWN
RED BULL IN A SPIN
Champions worry as rivals catch up
Turbulence horror as air crew flung into roof
PASSENGERS hit by turbulence that left eight people in need of hospital treatment told yesterday of the chaos on board the stricken plane.
80 take legal advice over illness linked to farm visit
MORE than 80 people are taking legal advice after parents and children fell seriously ill with an animal parasite at a petting farm.
Woman nearly killed in ski crash wants to hit the slopes again
A SKIER given a 5% chance of survival after plunging down a ravine has told of her \"miracle\" recovery just two months later - and her hopes of getting back on the slopes.
No apologies can ever make up for my 17 years in prison for a crime I did not commit
A WRONGLY convicted man who was imprisoned for 17 years and repeatedly denied the right to appeal has told of the \"insane nightmare\" he faced in the criminal justice system.
Thousands now feared buried under landslide
THE number of people feared buried after a vast landslide in Papua New Guinea has risen to more than 2,000 fewer than Yesterday dozen bodies had been recovered after Friday's disaster, with rescue operations hampered by rubble up to 32ft deep and a lack of equipment.
Ultra-runner smashes the 45-year record for scaling three peaks
A YOUNG ultra-runner has smashed the world record for the fastest woman to complete the full Three Peaks Challenge - by 18 hours.
Israeli PM admits to 'tragic mistake' after dozens killed
ISRAELI leader Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday admitted his forces had committed a terrible error after air strikes killed dozens of Palestinian refugees in Rafah.
£5m boost in search to find kinder cancer treatment for children
CRUCIAL research into less harsh treatments for children struck by brain tumours has received a £ 5 million boost from Cancer Research UK.