Donald Tusk: The war in Ukraine is at a "decisive stage," with a risk of a "global conflict" emerging.

The war in Ukraine has reached a "decisive phase," and recent developments indicate a genuine threat of a "global conflict," stated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on November 22.

Tusk's comments came after Russia claimed to have launched its latest medium-range ballistic missile, the "Oreshnik," over the Dnipro.

Speaking at the congress of the Polish Teachers' Union, Tusk referred to the "events of the last few hours" as a demonstration of a "serious and real threat of global conflict."

"It would be difficult for me not to say a few fundamental words about the situation today, as it is historic," he remarked in a comment to Polish radio Zet.

"The war in the east is entering its decisive phase. We all know this. We can feel that the unknown is approaching. None of us knows how this conflict will end, but we do know that it is taking on very dramatic proportions," he stated.

Putin declared on November 21 that Russia had launched its "new missile" during an attack on the Dnipro in response to Ukraine striking targets in the Kursk and Bryansk regions with long-range ATACMS missiles supplied by the West, as well as Storm Shadow missiles on November 19 and 20.

The "Oreshnik" missile is designed to carry nuclear weapons. However, Putin mentioned that in this instance, it was not equipped with a nuclear warhead.

According to Reuters, among other pressures, Russia is influencing Poland, one of Ukraine's most devoted supporters, regarding the new U.S. missile defense base that opened in northern Poland on November 13.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also stated on November 19 that key EU countries are prepared to increase military and financial assistance to Ukraine should the U.S. reduce its support.

Background. Recently, Tusk announced an extraordinary summit of northern and Baltic countries to discuss aid for Ukraine. The event aims to develop a unified stance on supporting Ukraine and collective security, he emphasized.