The President of Russia has stated that the newly elected President of the United States, whom he describes as "intelligent," will discover a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin has issued a warning about potentially using Oreshnik missiles against Kyiv, an intermediate-range weapon that Russia recently employed in a strike on the city of Dnipro. Putin claimed that no air defense system could intercept these missiles, which he described as powerful enough to be comparable to a nuclear strike if deployed multiple times on the same target.
"We may consider using Oreshnik against military sites, industrial facilities, or decision-making centers, including in Kyiv," Putin said during a press conference in Kazakhstan. He went on to describe the missile's kinetic impact as being similar to a meteorite strike, recalling the historical consequences of such events. "It’s so powerful that it can create lakes," he added, though he clarified that the missile was not equipped with nuclear warheads.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned this as a "despicable escalation." Moscow's threats are reportedly in response to a recent agreement between the US, UK, and France, which will allow Ukraine to launch long-range missiles at military targets within Russia.
Despite Kyiv’s robust air defenses, which have successfully thwarted most attacks on the capital over the past three years, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior Ukrainian official, dismissed Putin's claims about the Oreshnik missile as "fiction." He mocked the Russian leader’s understanding of military matters, suggesting that Putin's knowledge is based on exaggerated presentations rather than facts. Podolyak also dismissed the Oreshnik as little more than a modified Russian intercontinental ballistic missile, accusing Putin of inventing a name for it to create fear.
Nevertheless, Putin's threats have raised alarms in Kyiv, leading to the cancellation of a parliamentary session. Russian state media have been heralding the Oreshnik missile as a significant achievement, with even reports of parents naming their children after it.
When asked whether he intended to strike Kyiv's military or political targets, Putin responded with a cryptic Soviet-era joke about the weather: “Today, during the day, anything is possible.”
Many analysts believe that Putin’s threats are largely for show and that, after demonstrating the missile’s capabilities, he may refrain from further escalation until Donald Trump assumes office. Putin has expressed admiration for Trump, calling him “intelligent,” and even commented on Trump’s safety, referencing an assassination attempt during his campaign.
He suggested that the current US administration’s actions, such as supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine, might be part of a strategy to complicate Trump's potential negotiations with Russia.
On the ground, Russia’s latest missile and drone strikes have focused on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving over a million households without power. Ukraine’s energy grid has been severely damaged over the past three years, and with winter approaching, continued attacks could cause even more hardship. US President Joe Biden condemned the strikes, emphasizing the need for continued support for Ukraine’s defense.
There is growing concern in Kyiv about the potential for peace talks under the new US administration, but Ukrainian officials maintain that any negotiations must be driven by strength, not surrender. Podolyak stated, “Negotiations are only possible if we force Russia to the table, not through capitulation.”
Meanwhile, Trump has appointed retired Army General Keith Kellogg as his envoy for Russia and Ukraine. Kellogg, who has criticized Russia’s invasion and warned about the potential for global conflict, is seen as a more moderate figure in Trump’s orbit. He has advocated for leveraging military aid while pushing for peace talks, though he has also warned that Ukraine may need to accept heavy losses if negotiations fail.
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