Russia has threatened the West with an uncontrolled escalation of war and Ukraine with the destruction of Kyiv.
Russian officials issued the threat as Western leaders discussed whether to allow Ukraine to use their weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory.
Zelenskyy Says Plan To Achieve Victory Depended On Washington’s Decision
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late on Friday that his plan to achieve victory depended on Washington’s decision.
This was a clear reference to the authorisation for long-range strikes that Kyiv has long sought from NATO allies.
Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy’s office, said on the Telegram messaging app on Saturday: “Strong decisions are needed.”
Andriy further said, “Terror can be stopped by destroying the military facilities where it originates.”
Kyiv has said such strikes are critical for its efforts to restrict Moscow’s ability to attack Ukraine.
Allies have been reluctant to permit them citing fears Moscow will treat them as an escalation and doubting their efficiency.
While no official decision on the matter has been announced so far, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov alleged it had already been made and communicated to Kyiv.
Sergei said that Moscow would have to respond with actions of its own.
Ryabkov told the RIA news agency that the decision had been made and the carte blanche and all indulgences had been given to Kyiv
‘Melted Spot’
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chairman of the country’s security council, said the West was testing Russia’s patience.
In addition, Medvedev said Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region already gave Russia formal grounds to use its nuclear arsenal.
Moscow Could Use Some Of Its Deadly Weapons
He said that Moscow could either resort to nuclear weapons or use some of its non-nuclear but deadly weapons for a large-scale attack.
“And that would be it. A giant, grey, melted spot instead of ‘the mother of Russian cities’,” he said while referring to Kyiv.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
