Moscow, September 13, 2024 — Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating that if Western-made long-range missiles were used by Ukrainian forces to strike Russian territory, it would signify direct involvement of the West in the conflict.
Putin’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about supplying Ukraine with advanced Western missiles, such as U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pushing for these weapons to target deeper into Russian-held areas to limit Moscow’s offensive capabilities.
In a statement to Russian state TV, Putin emphasized that allowing Ukraine to use such missiles would not merely be a question of weapon supply but would involve NATO countries directly. He explained that the provision of satellite targeting data and missile guidance by NATO personnel would implicate the alliance’s direct involvement in the war.
“This is not just about whether to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with these weapons,” Putin said. “It is about whether NATO countries are directly participating in the military conflict.” He warned that this could significantly alter the conflict’s dynamics, leading to “appropriate decisions” from Russia in response to new threats. However, he did not elaborate on what these measures might entail.
Previously, Putin has suggested the possibility of countering Western actions by arming Russia’s adversaries with Russian weaponry and even discussed deploying missiles closer to Western targets. The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has become the most significant confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
Putin frames the war as a defense against Western encroachment following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, claiming it has humiliated Russia by infringing on its sphere of influence. In contrast, the West and Ukraine view the invasion as an unjust land grab and remain committed to countering Russian aggression. As of now, Russia controls over 18% of Ukrainian territory.
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