Russian officials issued threats of uncontrolled escalation of war towards the West and the destruction of Kyiv as Western leaders discussed the possibility of allowing Ukraine to use their weapons for deep strikes into Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized that victory depended on this decision, hinting at the authorization of long-range strikes that Kyiv has requested from NATO allies. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskiy’s office, stressed the need for strong decisions to stop terror by targeting military facilities.
Despite Ukraine’s insistence on the necessity of such strikes to limit Moscow’s ability to attack, allies have been hesitant, fearing escalation and doubting their effectiveness. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed that a decision had already been made and communicated to Kyiv, warning that Moscow would respond in a manner that “will not be pretty.” Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Russia’s patience was not unlimited, hinting at the potential use of nuclear or non-nuclear weapons in response to Ukraine’s actions.
Medvedev spoke of the possibility of a large-scale attack resulting in a destructive outcome for Kyiv. In response, Ukraine’s Yermak accused Putin’s regime of making loud threats out of fear that their terror tactics would cease. The situation remains tense as both sides consider their options in the ongoing conflict.
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