Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia would reject any global peace initiatives, emphasizing that the country seems oriented solely towards destruction.

In a recent video address, Zelensky condemned the ongoing strikes in regions such as Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Nikopol, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, resulting in the deaths of civilians, including members of a rescue worker's family.

He asserted that the global community is allowing Russia to continue its violent actions, indicating a dire need for accountability.

Zelensky confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation is currently engaged in discussions in Washington, involving meetings with Congress members, representatives of the U.S. administration, and communications with various public organizations.

He noted a general understanding and support for Ukraine's position, while expressing a need for more substantial actions to be taken.

Addressing the recent Russian missile attack on the regional administration building in Kherson, Zelensky remarked that the assault is not aimed at achieving any military objective but is rather aimed at terrorizing civilians and disrupting lives.

Following Ukraine's operation known as 'Spiderweb', which reportedly resulted in significant damage to Russian strategic bombers, Russia is contemplating a range of potential retaliatory measures.

These may include intensified missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine's energy, transportation, and industrial infrastructure, as evidenced by prior attacks in December 2023, which temporarily disrupted electricity, heating, and water supplies in key Ukrainian cities including Kharkiv, Odessa, and Kyiv.

The Kremlin is reportedly exploring the activation of existing hybrid operation cells to conduct sabotage activities within Ukraine and disseminate misinformation to sow confusion among the Ukrainian populace.

Specific targets may include minority communities, religious groups, and political opposition, with the objective of fostering internal divisions.

Russian cyber capabilities have demonstrated the ability to execute large-scale attacks on telecommunications, the banking sector, and military command centers, with a significant incident impacting Kyivstar last December.

Such operations are expected to continue as part of a psychological warfare strategy ahead of any potential peace negotiations.

There are indications that the quantity and frequency of drone and cruise missile attacks may aim to exhaust Ukrainian air defense systems.

Previously, Russia has launched waves of attacks, deploying over 180 drones simultaneously to overcome air defense measures and strike urban and military targets directly.

Future assaults may focus on weapon depots receiving supplies from the U.S., Germany, France, and other NATO countries, as well as command points along the front lines.

The Kremlin has been employing propaganda to label these incidents as existential threats to Russia from the West, using terms like 'Nazi Kyiv' and 'direct American operation management' to unify domestic public sentiment and prepare for more rigorous military responses.

Discussions regarding the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons have resurfaced in public discourse, particularly through statements from Dmitry Medvedev and other hardline officials.

While the Kremlin has not officially acknowledged such an option, analysts suggest that considerations for 'escalation for de-escalation'—a doctrine advocating for the limited use of tactical nuclear weapons to compel adversaries into negotiations—are already reflected within Russian military strategy documents.

Potential military assets for such an option include Iskander-M missile systems stationed near the Ukrainian border and nuclear warheads that could be integrated into short- and medium-range projectiles.

The primary barrier to such an escalation appears to be political; any use of nuclear weapons would cross a globally recognized 'red line' and could provoke a direct NATO response.