MOSCOW. April 10 (Interfax) - A catastrophic threat to peace has become possible for the first time since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Federation Council member Franz Klintsevich said on Tuesday, referring to the United States' readiness to strike Syria in retaliation for Damascus' alleged use of chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta.
"Any historical comparisons would be flawed, and I do not think that we should draw any strict parallels between the current situation and the Caribbean Crisis, but it is clear that the global threat to peace with catastrophic consequences has not been as real since 1962 as it is today," Klintsevich's press service quoted him as saying.
U.S. President Donald Trump should understand that "this is no longer about points scored by the United States in its standoff with Russia, let alone the realization of his personal ambitions," Klintsevich said. "This is a moment when fitness to be a leader of a great power manifests itself. The example of John Kennedy requires that Donald Trump set definitive priorities and make a distinction between current interests and eternal values, first and foremost peace," he said.
Russia can respond appropriately to any aggressive action, Klintsevich said. "No one has any doubt about that. Secondly, we still believe that things will not get to that point. Common sense will prevail," he said.