Kyiv under continued pressure from Putin and Kim threats following week of escalations

The Kremlin recently launched a new ballistic missile as a warning to Ukraine’s Western allies, following escalating threats from President Vladimir Putin. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also issued a nuclear threat against the U.S. and accused Washington of fueling tensions. Putin’s spokesperson emphasized that Russia will respond to reckless actions by the West, including supplying missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. identified the new missile as an experimental type based on an existing design. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the use of the missile as an escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The alliance between Kim and Putin has influenced Western decisions to support Ukraine and NATO affirmed its continued support despite Putin’s threats. Biden administration officials have briefed allies on the possibility of Russia using the new weapon, but stated that it would not change the course of the conflict. The situation is tense on the ground, with the Ukrainian parliament reducing activity in response to the increased threat of missile attacks. Overall, the recent actions by Russia and North Korea have heightened tensions in the region, with Western officials downplaying the attempts to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters.

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