New York. A tough confrontation erupts between the US and Russia over the threat of a nuclear attack linked to the conflict in Ukraine, while Kyiv leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy proclaims that the weapons his country needs are finally coming from the West come. “We’ve been listened to, we’re getting exactly what we asked for,” he said in a video message released in the past few hours. For example, in addition to the weapons supplied by the US, Britain said it had distributed over 2,000 including 4,800 Nlaw anti-tank missiles, Germany said at the start of the conflict it would supply 1,000 anti-tank weapons, 500 surface-to-ground missiles, Stinger Air, 2,700 Strela anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition . Military equipment worth 100 million euros has been shipped from Paris and several heavy artillery pieces are arriving. And 200 tons of military equipment, including 30 trucks, and several special heavy-duty vehicles were shipped from Spain. For Zelenskyy, however, the best way to reach a diplomatic solution and end the war would be a meeting between him and Vladimir Putin: “But the Russians say one thing and then do the opposite.” “I believe that any meeting between mediators will not have the desired effect – he added – the war can be stopped by the one who started it”.
Meanwhile, sparks fly between Washington and Moscow about the danger of a nuclear attack. “The use of nuclear weapons? No one can rule that out,” US Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland admitted in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda’s relaunched European Pravda. “Since Putin has already ordered horrific and brutal war crimes, anything can happen. Various types of catastrophic weapons could be used,” he continued, underscoring how the US is very determined in trying to “make the Kremlin aware” that such a hypothesis “would also be dramatic for Putin and Russia.” Putin “is held accountable for war crimes already committed, but the use of such weapons” would “raise a whole new level, and the costs imposed on Russia and its President would be astronomical in this regard”. Nuland then explained, “We are providing Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, as are our allies. A number of partners are working to provide what they need to get their planes flying again. However, according to Moscow’s defense minister, “the US is preparing provocations to accuse Russian forces of using chemical, biological or tactical nuclear weapons.” “This plan has already been worked out and is a reaction to Russia’s successes,” said the head of Moscow’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov. However, a few days ago, on state television Russia-1, a group of experts discussed a possible nuclear attack on the United States: one of them mentioned the recent launch of the new ICBM Sarmat and asked what could destroy it. “Target like New York, a beautiful city but it would be destroyed,” replied another. Immediately after the launch, Putin warned that “this unique weapon will make all those who try to threaten Russia with wild and aggressive rhetoric think twice.” For Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, the discussion on Moscow television is “reckless and irresponsible rhetoric from a nuclear power.” “The war is already beyond what it should be, but to have a nuclear power displaying that kind of belligerence is reprehensible,” he said. Meanwhile, Pentagon chief Loyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrive in Kyiv from Zelenskyy today, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will fly to the Ukrainian capital on Thursday, two days after his meeting with Putin in Moscow.