Vladimir Putin

Within 72 hours, Ukraine has received approval—formal or informal, though the distinction matters little on the battlefield—from the U.S. and the UK to use advanced weapon systems on Russian territory. Following these “approvals,” Kyiv launched attacks using U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows on Russian targets, particularly in Kursk province.

Greece, Italy and Spain have shuttered their embassies in Kyiv following US warnings of potential Russian retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory using US-supplied precision missiles.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan opposes a US decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to attack inside Russia, saying it would further enflame the conflict, according to a readout shared by his office on Wednesday.

Russia on Wednesday accused the U.S. of prolonging the "war in Ukraine" by stepping up weapons deliveries to Kiev ahead of Donald Trump entering the White House.

The war in Ukraine could have ended in 2022 following the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv, but Western partners prevented such an outcome, according to Denis Yaroslavsky, commander of an intelligence division in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

Vladimir Putin appears open to negotiations with Donald Trump in order to reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to Reuters.

However, according to the same report, Putin rules out any compromise regarding territorial matters and insists that Ukraine must abandon its aspirations to join NATO.

US President Joe Biden has authorized the delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, marking a notable shift in US policy. According to an unnamed source cited by Reuters, these mines are intended to help Ukrainian forces slow Russian advances along the eastern front.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on NATO to focus on Russia's recent amendments to its nuclear policy.

Speaking at a press conference during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Erdoğan emphasized the dangers of nuclear weapon usage in warfare.

FILE - This photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Feb. 19, 2022, shows a Russian Mobile launchers of Iskander short-range nuclear-capable missiles during a military exercise at a training ground in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File)