As the Ukraine-Russia conflict surpassed its 1000th day this week, the war reached a critical juncture with heightened military actions and escalating rhetoric from both sides. Western nations boosted Ukraine's military capabilities significantly, while Russia responded with nuclear threats and new missile technology.
In a historic policy shift, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine’s use of long-range ATACMS missiles to target Russian territory. Ukraine quickly utilized these weapons, striking Russia’s Bryansk region in an unprecedented escalation. Official reports conflict on the details, with Russia claiming to have intercepted five of six missiles, while U.S. sources suggest eight were launched with two intercepted.
Adding to the momentum, the UK supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which were used to strike targets in Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian forces have reportedly captured a 600-square-kilometer patch of Russian territory in the area. Later in the week, Biden approved the use of anti-personnel landmines, a controversial but effective tool to fortify Ukraine's eastern defenses.
These decisions underscore the West's unwavering commitment to Ukraine, signaling that support will continue despite the prolonged conflict.
On the 1000th day of the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin revised the country’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons. The updated doctrine now equates attacks from non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers to direct nuclear aggression.
In a dramatic display of its advanced capabilities, Russia deployed the "Oreshnik" missile to strike Dnipro, claiming it can travel at ten times the speed of sound and evade all countermeasures. While experts view this as a warning rather than an immediate threat, it reinforces Russia's nuclear rhetoric, which has become a recurring theme since the war began.
Western leaders, however, appear less alarmed by Russia's "sabre-rattling." Analysts suggest Beijing's influence may play a moderating role, as China—Russia’s key economic partner—would strongly oppose nuclear escalation.
Putin’s warning this week that the conflict has “acquired elements of a global character” resonated globally. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed these concerns, pointing to the involvement of multiple nuclear powers, including the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that the threat of nuclear war has reached unprecedented levels, blaming U.S. policies for the heightened tensions.
These developments coincide with the imminent transition of power in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office in January, has vowed to end the war within 24 hours, suggesting potential compromises for Ukraine, including territorial concessions in Crimea and the Donbas.
Outgoing President Biden’s actions this week—ramping up military support for Ukraine—appear aimed at solidifying Ukraine’s position before Trump’s term begins. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted at pursuing peace through diplomacy in 2025, leaving the door open for future negotiations.
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed cautious optimism, suggesting Trump’s desire to project strength may prevent him from making hasty compromises.
This week’s events may not signify an imminent escalation but rather a strategic positioning by all parties for eventual peace negotiations. As the conflict enters its next phase, the stakes remain as high as ever, with the world watching closely.