Putin Conducts Nuclear Missile Tests Amid US-Russia Sanctions Surge

In recent developments, US President Donald Trump imposed new sanctions targeting Russia's largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in response to Moscow's ongoing conflict and refusal to cease hostilities. These sanctions came shortly after the collapse of proposed peace talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who simultaneously conducted nuclear missile tests and large-scale military drills as a display of military readiness. Ukraine launched a significant offensive using British-made Storm Shadow missiles against a Russian chemical plant critical for military production, prompting stern warnings from Russia about the escalation risks of Western military aid. Trump's hesitance to supply US-made Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine reflects ongoing debates about balancing support for Ukraine with the potential to escalate tensions with Russia. The situation remains tense as Russia's nuclear demonstrations and Ukraine's long-range strikes underscore the high stakes of the conflict, with international actors closely monitoring the evolving military and diplomatic landscape.