Putin Threatens Strikes on Kyiv Amid Conflict

Vladimir Putin has escalated military threats against Ukraine, indicating a potential strike with the hypersonic missile Oreshnik on key decision-making centers in Kyiv, particularly in response to Ukraine's use of long-range weapons supplied by the US and UK. Following extensive missile attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which left over a million without power, Putin's aggressive rhetoric aims to reinforce Russia's military posture amidst ongoing tensions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned these threats as a tactical move to undermine peace efforts, especially with the incoming US President-elect Donald Trump. Zelenskyy asserted, 'Putin wants to escalate the situation now so that President Trump fails to end the war,' emphasizing that Putin's actions are aimed at pressuring the US government. The situation raises concerns about a widening conflict, particularly with Russia's new military alliances and strategies. As Europe contemplates its next steps, uncertainties loom over US support for Ukraine under the new administration.