"Conflict Resolution Milestone": Ukraine's Zelensky Cool after Crucial City's Liberation

In a significant development, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a key ally of Vladimir Putin, have agreed in talks that nuclear weapons should never be used, including in Ukraine. This comes as Russia continues to exert pressure on the war-torn nation.

The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has warned that Ukraine is facing tough months ahead. He emphasized that Russia's military capacity should not be underestimated, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict.

Russia's military has claimed gains in the neighboring region of Donetsk, capturing the village of Pavlivka. This advancement, however, has been met with resistance from Ukrainian forces, who have managed to retake 12 communities and villages in the eastern region of Lugansk.

The Russian military has been accused of employing underhand tactics, with reports of a Russian military serviceman being arrested by Ukrainian intelligence services. The soldier, disguised in civilian clothes, was allegedly gathering information, changing fire on Ukrainian troops, and carrying out sabotage. Similarly, a Russian military employee, detained in Kherson, is reported to be a reconnaissance officer playing a role in intelligence or covert operations in the region.

The controversy surrounding Russia's actions has not gone unnoticed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use all available means, including nuclear weapons, to defend the annexed regions from Ukrainian pressure. In response, the US Central Intelligence Agency Director, William Burns, held talks with his Russian counterpart to warn about the consequences of using nuclear weapons.

In a notable victory for Ukraine, the city of Kherson, the first significant metropolitan center to be occupied by Russian forces, has been liberated by Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, claimed the liberation of Kherson marks "the beginning of the end of the war." The Kherson region, one of the four regions annexed by Russia in September, can now be accessed by Ukraine following its recapture.

However, the retreat of Russian forces from Kherson has resulted in significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including water and energy systems. A senior US military official stated that it is possible Moscow still has a "handful" of soldiers on the western side of the Dnipro.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, Putin's objective remains clear: to leave Ukraine cold and dark this winter. Stoltenberg reiterated this, stating that Putin aims to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine's infrastructure.

Despite the challenges, the spirit of Ukraine remains unbroken. A self-described resident of Kherson stated that he and his friends spent months observing the Russians' every move out of fear of being captured and possibly killed. The Ukrainian presidency released images of Zelensky singing the national anthem as the country's flag was hoisted in Kherson, a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

In a show of solidarity, Biden and Xi agreed in talks that nuclear weapons should never be used, offering a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The coming months will be tough for Ukraine, but the nation's determination to reclaim its territory and sovereignty remains undeterred.