Paul accused Blinken of agitating Putin after Russia had drawn a red line. Paul added that NATO membership could have meant US soldiers fighting with Russia. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, claimed NATO was now fighting a proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, and could bring a 'very serious' risk the conflict could go nuclear. He accused Western leaders of risking a third world war by supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Rand Paul said U.S. was 'beating the drums' for Ukraine's admission to N.A.T.O.

At Tuesday Senate hearing, he said the Biden administration had ignored Russian 'red lines' on the issue before Moscow's invasion

But Secretary of State Antony Blinken said membership was up to Ukraine 

Paul also pointed out that Russia had only attacked former Soviet Union nations

'But that does not give Russia the right to attack them,' said Blinken