UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States accused Russia on Monday of a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations toward peace.

Alexei Zhuravlev's explosive statement, which included nuclear threats against Russia's enemies, comes at a time when reports indicate the Kremlin believes a confrontation with the United States is inevitable,

January, President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine will have dragged on longer than the war on the Eastern Front that ended with the fall of Berlin in May 1945.

Europe needs a strong bulwark against Russian aggression, but building and maintaining it will be challenging.

Russia has claimed the Oreshnik strike was retaliation for an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on one of Putin’s residences, an allegation Kyiv denies. Sweden will spend 15bn Swedish kronor (£1.2bn) on upgrading its air defences, the government said on Sunday.

“From Taiwan to Estonia and Latvia, the prospect of a Third World War feels closer than ever”, said The Telegraph – “unless you’re one of those people who thinks it’s already begun.” From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Putin’s war on Ukraine was once a popular enterprise. But domestic support is softening as the conflict's material, human and reputational costs continue to mount.

Fox News senior correspondent Benjamin Hall reports on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strike on Ukraine and how the United Nations is responding on ‘The Story.’