‘I do not assume he is bluffing’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned Russia’s risk of nuclear weapons use “could possibly be a actuality,” in an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.

It has been seven months since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February, and in a uncommon, televised handle on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin not directly threatened that he’s ready to make use of nuclear weapons to escalate the warfare.

Zelenskyy mentioned Russia is concentrating on nuclear energy crops in Ukraine, so there could possibly be some fact to Putin’s claims.

“He desires to scare the entire world. These are the primary steps of his nuclear blackmail. I do not assume he is bluffing,” Zelenskyy mentioned.

Referendum voting in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine is underway, in accordance with Russian state media. Western and Ukrainian officers are rebuking them as a sham utilized by the Kremlin to attempt to legitimize Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory.

Zelenskyy mentioned lots of people will likely be pressured to take part in these referenda, however that there isn’t any help for it in society. He mentioned a risk might emerge if the Russians full the referendum and announce the outcomes.

“This may make it unattainable, in any case, to proceed any diplomatic negotiations with the President of Russian Federation, and he is aware of it very properly,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “I feel it is a very harmful sign from President Putin that tells us that Putin isn’t going to complete this warfare.”

Putin introduced a partial army mobilization in Russia throughout his handle Wednesday, stating that the West “desires to destroy our nation” and had tried to “flip Ukraine’s folks into cannon fodder.”

Zelenskyy mentioned Russia is utilizing the warfare as an excuse to assert that it’s being attacked by the West.

“He is aware of that he is dropping the warfare. Within the battlefield, Ukraine has seized the initiative. He can’t clarify to his society why, and he’s on the lookout for solutions to those questions,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “Now, it is the West who assaults Russia. Now, the West assaults our territories.”

As winter approaches, Zelenskyy mentioned he is aware of the months forward will likely be troublesome and sophisticated. He mentioned Ukrainian forces are working to guard infrastructure like electrical energy and water management methods.

“This can be a problem, however we aren’t afraid of that,” he mentioned.