Any country trying to intervene in the war in Ukraine will face a “lightning quick” response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
“We have all the tools [para responder] which no one can boast. And we will not brag about them, we will use them when necessary,” he said, in a reference to ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.
1 of 2 Vladimir Putin said Russia has “all the tools” to respond to foreign actions — Photo: Getty Images via BBC
Vladimir Putin said Russia has “all the tools” to respond to foreign actions — Photo: Getty Images via BBC
Ukraine’s allies have increased arms supplies to Kyiv. The United States has promised to guarantee that Ukraine will defeat Russia.
US and European officials say Russia’s efforts in the east are being hampered.
Last week Russia launched a major offensive to seize the Donbass region after withdrawing from areas around the capital Kyiv.
But according to an official, Russian forces “are having difficulty overcoming steadfast Ukrainian resistance and are suffering casualties.”
The European Commission accuses Russia of blackmail after Moscow cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this shows Russia’s “unreliability” as a supplier of the product.
The Kremlin said Russia was being forced to crack down on “hostile actions” by European nations.
The Gazprom cut follows Poland and Bulgaria’s refusal to pay for gas in rubles a demand by President Vladimir Putin in March aimed at strengthening a Russian currency hit by Western sanctions.
Putin spoke on Wednesday (April 27) about foreign intervention in Ukraine during talks with Russian lawmakers in the city of Saint Petersburg.
“If an outsider tries to intervene in Ukraine and create strategic threats to Russia, our reaction will be lightning fast,” he said.
“We have all the tools [para responder] which no one can boast. And let’s not brag about it, let’s use it when we need to.”
The Russian leader said all decisions on what that response would entail had already been made without giving further details.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, and just days later President Putin ordered his military to put Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces on high alert.
Analysts suspect that these threats are an attempt by Putin to warn Ukraine’s allies against further meddling in the conflict.
President Putin spoke a day after a summit in Germany at which several countries pledged to increase military support to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has promised to move “heaven and earth” to ensure Ukraine wins the war.
Recently, there has been a growing number of pledges to increase military support to Ukraine, including Germany’s announcement that it will send 50 antiaircraft tanks.
2 of 2 Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke about the danger of a third world war: “The danger is serious, real. She cannot be underestimated.” — Photo: Reuters via BBC
Russian Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about the danger of a third world war: “The danger is serious, real. She cannot be underestimated.” — Photo: Reuters via BBC
BBC News Diplomatic Correspondent
Officials from NATO military alliance countries have spoken about the latest events of the war, saying Russia has continued to build up forces in and around Donbass and make small gains.
“But when faced with real military targets, they find it difficult to overcome steadfast Ukrainian resistance and suffer casualties,” an official said.
Heavy rain is also hampering Russian advances. “Russians don’t like fighting in the rain,” said one official, adding that the Russians have little tactical awareness and continue to suffer from logistical difficulties.
They have the ability to operate offroad, but officials say it’s surprising they haven’t done so yet.
Even in places where Ukrainian forces were under siege, they were able to increase their forces “for an amazing amount of time”.
Officials noted that even in places where Russia was gaining ground, Ukrainian forces displayed a “remarkable” ability to counterattack sometimes so quickly that the Russians were soon at a disadvantage.
Ukrainian special forces operating behind Russian lines are exploiting the vulnerability of long supply lines, helping to buy Ukraine time.