The US is considering easing restrictions that currently prevent Ukraine from striking Russian territory. Reports suggest that Russia is becoming increasingly nervous about the possibility of Ukraine attacking Russian territory with US weapons.
Vladimir Putin has threatened nuclear retaliation if US soldiers or weapons are used against Russian territory, but a former British Army colonel believes this is merely "bluff and bluster." Speaking to Times Radio, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said, "It shows how Russia is really concerned with how the war is going. If Ukraine is allowed to use sophisticated American weaponry to strike into Russia, you can see Russia is very nervous about this.
"All this bravado with their tactical nuclear weapons is bluff and bluster. Having seen the videos they posted, it showed me an organization that is unprofessional and that the nuclear warheads on their missiles are actually conventional ones. This indicates that the war is not going as they see fit, and of course, Putin wants to do everything he can to ensure he prevails."
These comments come amid reports that the US might lift a ban on Ukraine, which currently prohibits Kyiv from using US weapons to strike Russian territory.
The New York Times reported this week that there is an ongoing debate within the State Department about whether the ban should be lifted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also told the outlet that Ukraine needs the ability to strike Russian territory to improve its chances of winning the war.
On Friday, Reuters reported that Putin is ready to agree to a freeze in the conflict, citing four Kremlin sources. A senior Russian source who reportedly worked with Putin and has knowledge of high-level conversations in the Kremlin said, "Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but he is also ready for a ceasefire - to freeze the war."
However, Zelensky has claimed that Putin is "afraid" of the potential outcomes of peace talks. He said, "The world is capable of forcing Russia into peace and into compliance with international security norms. Russia has nothing to oppose the world majority.
"Tell me what those who don't join are afraid of? They're afraid of losing something. Afraid of losing even their relationship with today's Kremlin. That doesn't help end the war."
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