NATO, Ukraine to Meet Tuesday Over Russian Attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that Moscow had used a new-generation missile in the strike, which he suggested could carry a nuclear payload. His statement raised concerns about escalating tensions in the region, with fears that the missile's capabilities could further deepen the conflict.

A NATO spokeswoman responded to Putin's remarks, saying, “Deploying this new weapon will not change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO allies from their unwavering support for Ukraine.” She reiterated the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine, despite Russia's provocative actions.

Putin framed the missile strike as retaliation for Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons, supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom, to target Russian territory. The Kremlin leader also warned that Russia would target military facilities in countries that allow Ukraine to use such weapons against Russia, raising the stakes in an already volatile conflict.

The missile attack comes as Ukraine for the first time has used US- and UK-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian soil, further intensifying the nearly three-year-long war.

The United States, NATO’s leading power, accused Russia of escalating tensions with each new action. "Russia continues to escalate at every turn, and this latest missile launch is no exception," a senior US official said.

In a rare move, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that Moscow had notified Washington of the missile strike in advance via the automatic nuclear de-escalation hotline, a communication channel designed to prevent misunderstandings between the two nuclear powers.

As NATO and Ukraine prepare for Tuesday’s talks, the international community is bracing for further escalation, with both sides entrenched in their positions and diplomatic efforts intensifying to avoid broader conflict.