‘I do not assume he is bluffing’

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday that Russia’s risk to make use of nuclear weapons “may very well be a actuality”.

It has been seven months since Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in February, and in a uncommon, televised handle on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin not directly threatened to make use of nuclear weapons to advance the struggle. are prepared for

Zelensky stated Russia is concentrating on nuclear energy vegetation in Ukraine, so there could also be some fact to Putin’s claims.

Zelensky stated, “He needs to scare the entire world. This is step one in his nuclear blackmail. I do not assume he is bluffing.”

In keeping with Russian state media, a referendum is underway within the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Western and Ukrainian officers are rebuking him for making an attempt to legitimize Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory as a sham utilized by the Kremlin.

Zelensky stated that many individuals can be pressured to take part in these referendums, however there is no such thing as a assist for it in society. He stated there may very well be hazard if Russia holds the referendum and publicizes the outcomes.

“This can, in any case, make it inconceivable to proceed any diplomatic negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation, and he is aware of this very nicely,” Zelensky stated. “I feel it is a very harmful sign from President Putin telling us that Putin isn’t going to finish this struggle.”

Putin introduced a partial army mobilization in Russia throughout his handle on Wednesday, saying the West “needs to destroy our nation” and had tried to “flip the folks of Ukraine into cannon fodder”.

Zelensky stated Russia is utilizing the struggle as an excuse to say that it’s being attacked by the West.

“He is aware of he’s dropping the struggle. On the battlefield, Ukraine has seized the initiative. He can not clarify to his society why, and he’s searching for solutions to those questions,” Zelensky stated. . “Now, it’s the West that assaults Russia. Now, the West assaults our territories.”

As winter approaches, Zelensky stated he is aware of the months forward will likely be robust and complex. He stated Ukraine’s army was working to guard infrastructure reminiscent of energy and water management techniques.

“It is a problem, however we’re not afraid of it,” he stated.