Russia may escalate its military efforts in Ukraine if the United States and its allies continue to push Moscow beyond its limits, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned in an exclusive interview with CNN’s Fred Pleitgen on Wednesday.
Ryabkov expressed concern over rising tensions, saying the risks of further escalation are growing. He noted that the current geopolitical situation is even more intense than during the Cold War. “The risks are high and increasing, which is troubling,” he said during the interview in Moscow.
He criticized the West, particularly the United States, for underestimating Russia’s resolve. “There’s a lack of common sense and restraint in Washington,” Ryabkov added. “They fail to understand our determination to protect our national security interests.”
The comments followed the announcement of a $725 million US aid package to Ukraine, designed to strengthen Ukraine’s defense as Russia intensifies its attacks. This move is part of a larger package, with nearly $7 billion of assistance set to be used by the end of the year.
Ryabkov warned that the risk of military escalation depends on decisions made in Washington. He stressed that Moscow cannot be pressured indefinitely. “There will come a point when we have no choice but to use even stronger military means,” he said. However, he clarified that this escalation is not imminent, though the trend is worrying.
Ryabkov also pointed to the Oreshnik missile, which Russia used in late November to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He explained that the Oreshnik is an intermediate-range missile, not a strategic one, and was developed after the United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. Without this decision, Russia would not have developed such a missile, Ryabkov said.
When asked about the possibility of peace talks with Ukraine, Ryabkov stated that the two countries’ positions are currently irreconcilable. “Right now, there is zero chance of compromise,” he said. He added that only when Ukraine realizes Russia will not accept its conditions could there be room for negotiations.
