Putin acknowledged taking a second step toward escalation, prompting Zelensky's response to the Russian dictator's statements about strikes on Dnipro.

Vladimir Zelensky reacted to Vladimir Putin's statement regarding the use of the new ballistic hypersonic missile "Oreshnik" against Ukraine.

The president's statement was made public on the evening of November 21. 

Zelensky noted that Putin acknowledged taking a second step towards escalation this year. The first such step was involving North Korea in the war against Ukraine – deploying a contingent of at least 11,000 soldiers. 

“Putin has taken both of these steps, ignoring everyone in the world who calls for not expanding the war. He does not care about the calls from China, Brazil, European countries, America, and all other countries of the world. Putin is the only one who started this war – an absolutely unprovoked war, and who is doing everything to prolong it for over a thousand days,” the president stated. “Today's ballistic missile against Ukraine is further proof that Russia certainly does not want peace.”

Zelensky emphasized that Putin is lying when he claims that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons is a new step. “We have used this weapon before. And we have every right to do so under international law; our right to self-defense is the same as that of any other nation,” the president added. 

The world must respond, but currently, there is no strong reaction, Zelensky noted. “He is testing you, dear partners... If there is no harsh reaction to Russia's actions, it means they see that they can do this,” the president stressed. “Putin needs to feel the value of his sick ambitions. There needs to be a response. Pressure must be applied. Russia must be forced into real peace, which is only possible through strength. Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats, and destabilization, not only against Ukraine.”

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that Russians attacked Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile. After this, the Kremlin dictator addressed the Russians. He stated that the conflict has taken on global characteristics because Ukraine started striking Russian military facilities with Western missiles. Putin threatened that Russia would continue testing new weapons on the targets it decides on its own.