Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer confirmed, on Thursday, that there continues to be an imminent threat of a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.

When asked whether there is potential for a direct conflict between the alliance and Russia during a press briefing, Bauer stated, "I think we all agree on the fact that whatever the outcome of the war the Russians will most likely have similar ambitions... therefore, the threat does not go away." 

Earlier, on Wednesday, the head of the Russian delegation at the military security and arms control talks in Vienna, Konstantin Gavrilov, warned that by granting Ukraine massive military supplies, the West has pushed Europe to the verge of a possible war.

Ukraine shedding blood to carry out NATO mission: Ukraine Def Minister

Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov said on January 7 that Ukraine is shedding blood to carry out the mission that the NATO alliance set for itself and expects the West to provide weapons and ammunition in return.

In an interview for a Ukrainian TV channel, Reznikov said that during the Madrid summit last summer, NATO considered Russia the greatest threat to the US-led military alliance.

"Today, Ukraine is addressing that threat. We’re carrying out NATO’s mission today, without shedding their blood. We shed our blood, so we expect them to provide weapons," the Ukrainian Minister indicated.

The top diplomat pointed out that his NATO colleagues have told him that Ukraine is the "shield of civilization" and is "defending the entire civilized world, the entire West."

Read more: US National Intel Director: More advanced weapons to be given to Kiev