Russia says five nuclear powers teetering on 'brink of direct armed conflict'
Russia's foreign ministry has said it fears the five declared nuclear powers were teetering "on the brink of a direct armed conflict".

In a statement, the ministry added that the West must stop "encouraging provocations with weapons of mass destruction, which can lead to catastrophic consequences".

Western capitals have said Moscow is behind a ramping up of nuclear rhetoric since Russia invaded Ukraine in February - most recently by repeatedly accusing Kyiv of planning to use a radioactive "dirty bomb" without offering evidence.

Kyiv has denied having any such plan.

Moscow said it stood by a joint declaration issued together with the US, China, Britain and France in January affirming their joint responsibility for avoiding a nuclear war.

Vladimir Putin has appeared on several occasions to threaten a nuclear strike in connection with the war in Ukraine, and Moscow has repeatedly said its military doctrine permits the use of nuclear weapons if Russia's territorial integrity is under threat.