Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement about a preventive strike on Russia essentially means a call to start a world war, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, RIA Novosti reported.

According to him, in the event of a conflict, the consequences would be monstrous and unpredictable. The presidential press secretary said that all countries of the world, especially the United States, the United Kingdom and members of the European Union should pay attention to the statements of the Ukrainian president. Given the fact that Washington and London actually direct the activities of Kiev, they are responsible for Zelenskyy's words and actions, Peskov stressed.

"This is the statement of President Zelenskyy, to which all countries of the world should pay attention. Especially to this statement of Zelensky should pay attention to the United States, Britain, the countries of the European Union. First of all the first two," said the press secretary of the president.

Earlier, Zelenskyy, speaking at the Lowy Institute in Australia via video link, said that NATO should launch "preventive" strikes against Russia, rather than "wait for Russia's nuclear strikes".