Lavrov threatens the West: You cannot give an ultimatum to Russia

If the West wants to fight for Ukraine on the battlefield, Russia is ready for it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is quoted as saying.

"It is their right - if they want it to be on the battlefield, it will be on the battlefield," state news agency RIA quoted Lavrov as saying.

Russia has raised warnings about the dangers of a direct confrontation with NATO after French President Emmanuel Macron refused to rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine.

The Kremlin said last week that sending NATO troops to Ukraine would be potentially extremely dangerous. President Vladimir Putin has said that this could lead to World War III.

Lavrov said the Ukraine peace talks to be held in Switzerland next month without Russia's participation constituted an ultimatum to Moscow.

"You can't talk to anyone like that, especially to us," Lavrov said, adding: "The conference in Switzerland is the return of an ultimatum to Russia."