RUSSIA: Ryabkov- Moment Near When No Option But To See NATO As War Participants

Speaking to state media Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed that "The moment is near when there will be no other option but to recognize the US and NATO [...] as full-fledged participants in the conflict [in Ukraine],". Adds that 'Russia does not believe that the time for negotiations has passed, but now [Russia] needs stronger means to make its point heard', referring to the firing of an intermediate-range 'Oreshnik' ballistic missile at Dnipro last week. 

• The launch of the missile gained global attention and was seen as a notable escalation in geopolitical tensions, but Ryabkov claims that Russia is 'committed to agreements with the US on notification of missile test launches'. 

• Ryabkov says 'the West is under the dangerous illusion that it can supposedly achieve a strategic victory over Russia. "A nuclear power cannot be defeated,"