Astana, Kazakhstan – Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a press conference in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, where he made military threats towards Ukraine. Putin accused the United States and European allies of having direct involvement in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. During the press conference, he mentioned the possibility of using a new hypersonic missile system, referred to as an Oreshnik or ‘Hazel Tree,’ to target government buildings in Kyiv as a response to Ukraine’s use of American and British long-range missiles on Russian territory.

Putin’s statements prompted a strong response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who accused Putin of escalating the situation to prevent President Trump from ending the war. Zelenskyy placed the blame for the conflict squarely on Putin, labeling him as the sole culprit behind the ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin’s latest actions were viewed as an attempt to pressure the United States into accepting Russia’s terms.

During the press conference in Kazakhstan, Putin revealed that his military commanders were preparing a list of potential targets in Kyiv, which could include military facilities, defense and industrial enterprises, or decision-making centers. The decision by the U.S. and U.K. to allow their supplied weapons systems to be used in Russia led to a swift and aggressive response from the Kremlin.

Furthermore, Putin warned of Russia’s ability to produce advanced missile systems that surpass those of the NATO alliance. He emphasized Moscow’s intention to accelerate the production of such systems. The possibility of the U.S. providing Ukraine with nuclear weapons, as reported earlier this month, was condemned by Putin as a breach of longstanding American commitments to non-proliferation.

Despite tensions and military threats, Putin expressed confidence in President-elect Donald Trump’s ability to find a solution to the escalating conflict. He criticized the incoming president’s opponents, citing what he perceived as uncivilized methods used during the electoral contest, including an alleged assassination attempt on Trump’s life. Putin’s comments highlighted the complex dynamics at play in the international arena, particularly concerning the relationships between major world powers.