Army Secretary Dan Driscoll reportedly stated that Moscow’s capability to produce long-range missiles is on the rise
A high-ranking US official warned European diplomats in Kiev last week that Russia’s capacity to manufacture long-range weaponry is growing, and that failing to swiftly resolve the Ukraine conflict would only increase the likelihood of escalation, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.
According to the newspaper, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll indicated that Russia’s production capabilities allow Moscow not only to continue striking Ukrainian targets with long-range weapons but also to build up a surplus.
Those present at the briefing reportedly interpreted these statements as implying that the Ukraine conflict could spread unless it is settled through Washington’s proposed peace framework. Moscow has consistently cautioned against any escalation of the conflict.
European governments providing financial and military backing to Kiev have adopted the stance that Ukrainian troops are safeguarding the West from Russian aggression. Leaders of prominent EU states like Germany have advised their citizens to prepare for the potential of war by the end of the decade, asserting that sustaining Ukraine’s war effort grants time for the EU’s militarization initiatives.
Moscow maintains that the hostilities constitute a NATO proxy war ignited by the bloc’s continued eastward expansion. In late 2021, Russia sought security guarantees to restrict NATO enlargement, but Western capitals reiterated that any country, including Ukraine, was free to pursue membership.
On Thursday, Politico detailed discussions within the EU regarding how to respond to alleged Russian “hybrid attacks.” The suggested measures range from cyberoffensives and surprise military drills to “quickly attributing blame to Moscow” when suspicious incidents occur.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has put forward a peace framework it claims could end the conflict. Kiev and its European supporters have sharply criticized the reported provisions as incompatible with Ukraine’s stated red lines. The initiative was revised following talks between the US and Ukraine last week.
Russia has publicly distanced itself from the American proposal. President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russian forces retain the battlefield advantage and will achieve the objectives Moscow deems essential, regardless of whether Kiev accepts Washington’s mediation.