Vladimir Putin continues to fuel fears of the ongoing war in Ukraine evolving into a nuclear conflict.
Türkiye‘s Foreign Minister has now warned current tensions could ultimately put “the use of nuclear weapons” on the agenda.
Hakan Fidan said the war in Ukraine is fraught with the potential for further expansion and could develop into a nuclear conflict if a deal is not struck between Kyiv and Moscow.
Speaking to Turkish broadcaster Haberturk, Mr Fidan said: “The cost of the ongoing war for the region and the entire world is very high.
“What is even more alarming is that this risk may grow and expand. It may expand geographically and the potential use of nuclear weapons may be put on the agenda.”
The Turkish diplomat said his government remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict.
He welcomed Putin’s decision to outline his objectives for a peace agreement although his demands for Ukraine to relinquish all occupied territory were swiftly rejected.
Mr Fidan added: “As long as the war continues, the risk of its extension will stay in place and there is no escaping it.
“Each party will be forced to use methods that may change the course of events leading to a situation when the flames may spread to other places.”
The week kicked off with a renewed war of words between Russia and the United States, a key ally to Kyiv, over the use of US-made missiles to attack Russian-annexed Crimea over the weekend.
The United States last month relaxed its ban on the use of US-provided weaponry to carry out attacks on Russian territory, sparking the fury of the Kremlin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the American ambassador and raged that Washington DC “has effectively become a party” to the war.
They warned that “retaliatory measures will certainly follow” but did not elaborate on what the nature of the retaliation would be.
Kyiv’s forces have relied heavily on Western-supplied weaponry since Russia’s invasion more than two years ago.
The military aid has been crucial in allowing Ukraine to hold the Kremlin’s army at bay, with few major changes along the 1,000-kilometre front line in eastern and southern Ukraine for many months.