Putin and Kim continue to threaten Kyiv, maintaining pressure after a week of escalations.

The Kremlin launched a new ballistic missile as a warning to Ukraine’s Western allies, following escalating threats from President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Both leaders have been flexing their nuclear muscles, with Putin citing Ukraine’s use of Western weapons as justification for the attack. The U.S. confirmed that the missile, named “Oreshnik,” was experimental and based on existing designs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it a severe escalation. Meanwhile, Kim warned of the risk of “the most destructive thermonuclear war” due to U.S. hostility.The deepening alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang has raised concerns, with South Korea revealing that Russia supplied North Korea with air defense missiles in exchange for troops. Despite the threats, NATO reaffirmed support for Ukraine and dismissed the new missile as a game changer in the conflict. The U.S. has briefed allies on possible Russian use of the new weapon, but emphasized that Russia cannot bully Ukraine or its supporters. The situation remains tense, with the Ukrainian parliament canceling a session due to the increased threat of missile attacks. Western officials and analysts are downplaying the threats from Putin and Kim, viewing them as attempts to intimidate Kyiv and its allies. The situation underscores the volatile nature of global alliances and the potential for further escalation in the conflict.

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