Kremlin-Conflict Spiraling Upwards; Western Tanks Will Change Nothing

Comments from Kremlin spox Dmitri Peskov hitting wires. States that the Ukraine conflict is "spiraling upwards", and that "to avoid escalation, Russia's concerns must be listened to". Adds that "We see indirect and sometimes direct NATO involvement [in the conflict]". Peskov: "Western tanks for Ukraine will change nothing, won't stop Russia achieving goals."

• Comes as the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting of officials from Ukrainian allies kicks off in Ramstein, Germany. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III states today's talks "will strengthen unity" between Ukraine and its allies and that, "we need to keep up our momentum and our resolve and we need to dig deeper...We will support Ukraine's self-defence for as long as it takes."
• Austin states that US military backing has totaled in excess of USD26.7bn since the invasion began. Adds, "This is not a moment to slow down. It is a time to dig deeper. The Ukrainian people are watching us. The Kremlin is watching us. History is watching us. We won't let up and we won't waver in our determination to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia's imperial aggression."
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "We have to speed up [the supply of weapons]". States the provision of battle tanks. "will make the victory...The Kremlin must lose".