Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Thursday that if the West allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles obtained by kyiv to strike Russian territory, it would mean that “NATO countries are at war with Russia.”
The Russian news agency “Sputnik” reported that Putin today commented on the possibility of allowing kyiv to use Western weapons to strike inside Russia.
According to the Russian agency, Putin said at a meeting with journalists: “NATO countries are not only now discussing the possibility of kyiv using Western long-range weapons, but they are actually deciding to get directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict.”
The Russian president explained: “In fact, air missions of these missile systems can be carried out only by military personnel of NATO countries, and Ukraine is not able to strike the Russian depth alone and for this needs Western satellite information.”
Putin continued: “The direct participation of NATO countries, the United States and Europe in the Ukrainian conflict will significantly change its essence, which will mean that they will be in a state of war with the Russian Federation.”
Ukraine is demanding that its Western supporters allow it to strike targets deep inside Russian territory with missiles it received from them. Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the “delay” in deciding on this issue.
Washington has so far rejected the issue for fear of an escalation that could lead to direct conflict with Moscow, especially since both countries are nuclear powers.
US President Joe Biden said yesterday: “The question of authorizing Kiev to use long-range weapons to launch strikes deep into Russian territory is still under review.”
Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to discuss the issue tomorrow, Friday. The British newspaper “Financial Times” wrote: “There is a division within the US administration on this issue.”
But US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken promised yesterday, Wednesday, from kyiv to study “urgently” Ukraine’s military requests.