On November 21, the New York Times reported that US and European officials are discussing deterrence as a security measure for Ukraine. This measure could take the form of creating a stockpile of conventional weapons on Ukrainian territory.
“Some officials have even floated the option that President Joe Biden would return to Ukraine the nuclear weapons seized from the country after the collapse of the Soviet Union,” the New York Times wrote, stressing that “such a step would be difficult and would have serious consequences.”
According to Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that creating nuclear weapons in the modern world is not difficult, but it is still unclear whether Ukraine is capable of doing this.
Mr Putin also called reports that Ukraine might possess nuclear weapons another provocation.
President Putin noted that any steps towards the creation of nuclear weapons by Ukraine will be met with an appropriate response; Russia will not allow the creation of nuclear weapons in Ukraine under any circumstances. Putin also stressed that Russia will monitor whether any Western countries want to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine.
On November 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, expanding the cases in which nuclear weapons can be used.
These changes include the ability to use nuclear weapons in response to a major drone attack or an attack on Russian territory by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear state.
President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range ATACMS missiles to attack Russian territory. In addition, the Washington Post reported that Ukraine will receive US-made anti-personnel mines, despite Joe Biden's ban on such weapons.
In response to Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, Russia fired its latest Oreshnik hypersonic missile into Ukraine on November 22. The Oreshnik missile has caused alarm in the West and concerns among NATO members, as this is the first time such a system has been used and much remains unknown about the missile.
The Biden administration is seeking to provide as much assistance as possible to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, including $7 billion in weapons and ammunition from the Pentagon’s stockpile and an additional $2.1 billion to buy new weapons from U.S. defense contractors.
The Pentagon said it has lifted a ban on the deployment of US military contractors to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian armed forces maintain and repair weapons systems provided. This includes repairs to F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems.
The US experts will operate far from the front lines and will not participate in combat. Contracts with US contractors are expected to be signed before Mr. Biden leaves office.
