SRINAGAR: Ukraine and Russia have pledged to fight until victory as the war, launched with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, reached its 1000th day. The grim milestone has been overshadowed by renewed nuclear threats from the Kremlin and warnings from Kyiv against appeasement, reports in the international media suggest.
In a defiant statement, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared, “Ukraine will never submit to the occupiers, and the Russian military will be punished for violating international law.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Moscow’s actions, including a deadly drone strike in the northeastern Sumy region that killed seven civilians, as evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks prolonged conflict rather than peace.
Amid growing international support for Ukraine, Putin signed an updated nuclear doctrine, broadening the circumstances under which Russia might deploy nuclear weapons. The revised policy outlines that a conventional attack on Russia supported by a nuclear power could justify a nuclear response. This follows recent decisions by the United States to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to target Russian territory, escalating tensions further.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed Russia’s confidence in achieving victory, labelling the war a “special military operation” and cautioning against what it sees as NATO’s deepening involvement. “The military operation continues and will be completed,” he stated.
Ukraine’s leaders have urged the global community to maintain firm resistance against Russian aggression. Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed the United Nations Security Council, describing the war’s duration as a failure of the international community to halt atrocities. Ukrainian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Yevheniia Filipenko, cautioned against peace talks with Putin, describing them as “weakness” that would embolden the Kremlin.
Western nations, led by the EU, continue to rally behind Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen marked the 1,000-day milestone by pledging to stand by Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasised the need for quicker and stronger support, while Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk framed aid to Ukraine as essential for European security.
The war’s duration and increasing military aid to Ukraine have heightened fears of escalation. Kremlin officials warned that Western-supplied missiles used by Ukraine could be interpreted as attacks by nuclear-backed states, potentially triggering a nuclear response. However, analysts suggest these threats are primarily aimed at deterring further Western involvement rather than signalling imminent action.
As both nations remain entrenched in their positions, the path to resolution appears more distant than ever. With nuclear tensions rising and civilian casualties mounting, the war’s toll continues to grow on all fronts.
