In a statement that raises concerns about the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, Dmitry Medvedev, a senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has warned that Russia is not bluffing about using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of the Security Council of Russia, made these remarks following President Biden's authorization for Ukraine to launch U.S.-supplied weapons at military targets just over the border in Russia.

The authorization by President Biden has allowed Ukraine to retaliate against Russian forces supporting an offensive targeting the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Germany has also expressed support for Ukraine's response. However, the White House has clarified that the policy is limited and prohibits the use of certain missile systems or long-range strikes inside Russia.

Medvedev went on to state that Russia considers all long-range weapons used by Ukraine to be under the control of NATO servicemen, characterizing it as participation in a war against Russia. He warned that such actions could become a catalyst for war, referring to them as a potential casus belli.

The ongoing support of Ukraine by Western countries has raised the stakes and the possibility of further escalation in the two-and-a-half-year-long conflict. Medvedev claims that the conflict is following the worst-case scenario, with a constant escalation in the firepower of the NATO weapons being used. This, according to him, makes it impossible to rule out the conflict transitioning into its final stage.

These remarks come at a time when Ukrainian troops, already depleted and outgunned, are losing ground in the war. Just weeks ago, the U.S. pledged an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. The border region of Kharkiv has witnessed intense Russian aggression, which has stretched Ukraine's forces to their limits.

The White House, however, asserts that Russia's forward progress has stalled and that capturing Kharkiv remains unlikely. Russian forces have only advanced a few kilometers, and they now face relentless attacks from the Ukrainian side, resulting in heavy losses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that it is only a matter of time before Ukraine utilizes the Western weaponry to strike Russian territory.

These developments and the reiterated threats of escalation come shortly after Gen. Charles Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, mentioned that NATO military trainers would eventually be sent to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have requested assistance from their U.S. and NATO counterparts to train 150,000 new recruits closer to the front line for faster deployment.

Friday's comments by Medvedev are not the first time he has voiced a hardline stance against the West. In January, he warned the U.K. that deploying troops to Ukraine would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Russia. Furthermore, he raised the specter of nuclear war, cautioning NATO allies that a defeat for Russia in Ukraine could provoke such a catastrophic outcome.

The international community remains deeply concerned about the situation in Ukraine, with fears of a further escalation that could have far-reaching consequences. The discussions surrounding the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons raise the stakes and emphasize the need for diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to this protracted conflict.