Russian officials on Saturday warned the West of an uncontrolled escalation in the war and threatened the destruction of Kyiv, as Western leaders debated whether to permit Ukraine to use their weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated late on Friday that his strategy for victory hinged on Washington’s decision, referring to the long-sought approval for long-range strikes from NATO allies. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskiy’s office, reiterated on the Telegram messaging app: "Decisive action is required. Terror can be stopped by destroying the military facilities where it originates."
Kyiv has argued that such strikes are crucial to limiting Moscow’s capacity to launch attacks on Ukraine, but its allies have so far been hesitant, fearing that Moscow would view them as an escalation and questioning their effectiveness. While no formal decision has been made public, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed that a decision had already been taken and communicated to Kyiv, warning that Moscow would respond accordingly.
“The decision has been made, and Kyiv has been given carte blanche along with all privileges," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, said the West was testing Russia’s patience, but it had limits. He suggested that Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, which Zelenskiy called a successful operation slowing Russia’s progress, gave Moscow legitimate grounds to use its nuclear weapons. Medvedev indicated that Russia might either resort to nuclear arms or deploy new, highly destructive non-nuclear weapons for a large-scale attack, stating: “That would be the end – a giant, grey, melted spot in place of ‘the mother of Russian cities,’” referring to Kyiv.
In response, Yermak commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating: "The loud threats from Putin's regime only reveal his fear that the terror might be brought to an end."
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