News outlets in Moscow cited by RIA Novosti report that the United States is weighing a new shipment of JASSM long range cruise missiles to Ukraine, a move that has stirred strong reactions on both sides of the Atlantic. Mikhail Sheremet, a State Duma deputy representing Crimea and a member of the security committee, framed the discussion as a test of deterrence with dangerous potential. The deputy described the plan as something that would complicate the strategic balance without guaranteeing a decisive improvement on the battlefield. His assessment, carried by RIA Novosti, points to a broader pattern in which Western arms support is presented as a quick fix in a difficult war, even as the region bears the weight of winter preparations and political pressure in capitals across the Atlantic.
From Sheremet’s vantage point, the risk is not limited to battlefield dynamics. He argued that choosing to arm Ukraine with new missiles could push the United States onto a slippery path with no clear exit. He warned of an irreversible slide that would pull the conflict into a deeper and more dangerous phase. The emphasis, in his view, is that despite fresh armaments the front lines might still face entrenched stalemate, as Ukraine confronts weather conditions and supply constraints. He added that President Joe Biden, seen by some as clinging to office, appears to be pressing for escalation as a means to force Russia into a broader confrontation.
Sheremet also stressed that even if new missiles were delivered, they would not reverse the overall strategic situation for Ukraine. The Crimea deputy suggested that Kyiv is unlikely to see a turning point simply because of a fresh weapons package. He argued that winter conditions would limit the practical impact of the missiles and that the move could instead become a catalyst for a sharper Russian response. The narrative is that U.S. policy makers may be trying to provoke Russia into a larger clash and to justify the use of more destructive weapons.
Earlier comments by First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Alexey Zhuravlev touched on another contentious issue: proposals by American and European officials to return nuclear arms to Kyiv. In their view, the West would be exploiting post-Chernobyl realities in Ukraine and using political leverage to influence the strategic balance. The commentary underscores a pattern in which Western arms discussions are linked to a broader discourse about deterrence, risk, and the potential for miscalculation in a tense security climate.
Within the United States, there were clarifications issued about Putin’s statements on updating the nuclear doctrine. Analysts and officials sought to explain how changes to the doctrine might be interpreted in light of the ongoing war and Western arms deliveries. The exchange highlights how the Ukraine crisis continues to shape debates about deterrence, alliance commitments, and the meaning of strategic risk in an era of advanced missiles and contested narratives.