Ukraine claims slow but steady progress in offensive .
Russia's war in Ukraine
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out peace talks with Russia, rebuffing efforts of a delegation of African leaders. The group are due to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin later on Saturday.
Putin warned that NATO may be further dragged into the conflict if its members continue to supply Ukraine with weapons. He also said nuclear weapons would "guarantee our security."
Kyiv's counteroffensive is underway. It hasn't had the momentum yet some observers expected, but Ukraine is claiming some gains and there may be more to come.
1 hr 39 min ago
Putin warns NATO over being drawn into Ukraine war, says Russia has more nuclear weapons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia on June 16, 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia on June 16, 2023. Ramil Sitdikov/Sputnik/Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned there is a “serious danger” of NATO being drawn further into the Ukraine war if members of the alliance continue to supply military weaponry to Kyiv.
“NATO, of course, is being drawn into the war in Ukraine, what are we talking here,” Putin said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday.
“The supplies of heavy military weaponry to Ukraine are ongoing, they are now looking into giving Ukraine the jets.”
The comment appeared to be a reference to the F-16 fighter jets some members of the NATO alliance are making plans to supply Ukraine with.
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed in the aftermath of World War II to defend Western nations from the Soviet Union and the alliance contains a mutual defense clause where an attack on any one member is considered an attack on all.
While Ukraine is not a member of NATO, some NATO members have been supplying Kyiv with tanks, armored vehicles and other weaponry – prompting threats of retaliation from Russia.
During his speech to the forum, Putin also suggested Russia’s large number of nuclear weapons would “guarantee” its security – noting that Russia had more such weapons than NATO countries.
