It's been obvious to any outside observer that the US and NATO have committed to a path of deepening involvement in thwarting Russian military action in Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spelled it out in his comments just after meeting with President Zelensky on Tuesday, saying the US wants to see a "weakened" Russia and that the Pentagon will "move heaven and earth" to keep arming Ukraine.

After repeatedly condemning foreign weapons shipments while seeking to destroy them, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued his own fresh warning on Wednesday, telling countries which are now attempting to intervene in various ways that Moscow will "quickly" respond in kind with devastating strikes.