Russia has made dire threats to the West that any military shipments to Ukraine will be seen as ‘legitimate targets’, prompting fears there could be an escalation of a conflict that could suck in other countries.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned the US ‘that pumping weapons from a number of countries it orchestrates isn’t just a dangerous move, it’s an action that makes those convoys legitimate targets’. The warnings came after Joe Biden personally intervened to stop a shipment of Polish MiG fighter jets to Kyiv, fearing the move could lead to ‘World War Three’.
But Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed the West for its inaction, saying today he ‘doesn’t see any bravery from NATO’ as he pleaded for more involvement from allies in peace negotiations and offered to pay for more anti-missile systems. In response, the US made lukewarm promises of taking ‘diplomatic steps’ to help the Ukrainian government.
Zelensky, who claimed 1,300 Ukrainian troops have been killed so far and 500 Russians surrendered yesterday, also said Putin’s forces can only take Kyiv if they ‘raze the city to the ground’, with Kremlin troops inching closer to the capital and conflict raging nearby today, endangering attempted evacuations.
Poland offered its 28 twin-engine jet fighter aircraft to the US – but Biden blocked the offer, fearing it would lead to “World War Three”. Earlier this week, Poland said it’s ready to deploy its MiG-29s to the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany and put them at the disposal of America. Spokesman John Kirby said it would mean jets departing from a Nato base would have to fly into airspace contested with Russia.
“We will continue to consult with Poland and our other Nato allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland’s proposal is a tenable one,” he said. The President said: “We will defend every single inch of Nato territory with the full might of a united and galvanized Nato.
“We will not fight a war against Russia in Ukraine. Direct confrontation between Nato and Russia is World War Three, something we must strive to prevent.” Speaking about US troops along the border with Russia, he said: “Because they move once, granted, if we respond, it is World War Three.
“But we have a sacred obligation on Nato territory, a sacred obligation, Article Five… although we will not fight the Third World War in Ukraine. “The idea that we’re going to send in offensive equipment, and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews – just understand. “Don’t kid yourself. No matter what you all say, that’s called World War III. Okay? Let’s get it straight here guys.”
All the while, Russian forces are edging towards Kyiv amid signs the preparations for the final assault on the capital are underway. The bulk of Kremlin troops is now within 15 miles of the city after more than two weeks of sluggish progress. Ukraine is preparing to defend the city after confounding Western expectations by denying Vladimir Putin a swift victory.
A Ukrainian politician warned the battle for Kyiv could descend into a new Stalingrad, the bloodiest battle of the Second World War which turned the tide away from Nazi Germany through the sheer number of losses it endured. Sviatoslav Yurah told the BBC:
‘It’s a massive town of millions and if the Russians try to come in they will have quite a fight on their hands – this will be their Stalingrad if they want to make it so.’ It has been clear from the outset of the invasion that a full-scale assault on Kyiv is central to Russia’s plans, despite the Kremlin’s repeated insistence it is only trying to support a breakaway republic in the east of the country.
