The head of NATO on Friday expressed worry that the fighting in Ukraines could go out of control turning into a war between Russia and NATO. “If things go wrong, they can go horribly wrong,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in remarks to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The remarks came as the British defence ministry has this morning reiterated the Biden administration’s warning that a “full-fledged” military partnership is emerging between Russia and Iran.
Meanwhile, Putin mentioned a potential settlement to end the war while still claiming its special military operation was going as per the plan. His remarks came days after he appeared to revel in recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian civil infrastructure. He vowed to keep Ukraine’s energy grid battering despite an outcry against the systemic attacks that have plunged millions into cold and darkness as winter sets in.
Residential buildings in Odessa region have been thrown into darkness after drone attack. Russian forces have shelled the “entire front line” in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, the region’s governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko, has said. The fiercest fighting was near the towns of Bakhmut and Avdiivka, he said, adding that Russian troops were also trying to advance near Lyman, which was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in November.
Putin also said Russia may cut oil production and will refuse to sell oil to any country that imposes the G7’s price cap on its oil. His comments came after the G7, the EU and Australia announced a $60-a-barrel price cap on Russian seaborne crude oil last week.