Russia and Belarus Confirm Nuclear Weapons Option
Russia and Belarus have stated their readiness to use all available means, including nuclear weapons, to ensure their security. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Russia and its ally Belarus have confirmed their readiness to deploy nuclear weapons to guarantee their security, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin speaking to the Izvestija newspaper. Galuzin indicated that both nations are continuously prepared to ensure the safety of their common union state, highlighting regular joint military exercises and readiness checks.
Amidst escalating regional tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pursuing a new peace initiative. He reportedly discussed this with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, aiming to revive negotiations with Russia, potentially on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged Russia and Ukraine to return to diplomacy. UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo warned that the conflict is currently deadlier than at any point since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, renewing calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Fighting continues in Ukraine, with reports of four fatalities and over 20 injuries in the Charkiv region due to Russian rocket and drone attacks. On Crimea, Russia announced it had repelled drone assaults.