Putin: lifting Ukraine missile restrictions would put Nato ‘at war’ with Russia
Vladimir Putin stated that if the West allows Kyiv to use longer-range weapons to strike targets within Russia, it would effectively mean that NATO is “at war” with Moscow.
As Putin made his remarks, the leading diplomats from the US and UK were in talks about relaxing regulations on the use of Western weapons in Russia. This is something that Kyiv has been advocating for, especially now that we are over two and a half years into Moscow’s military campaign.
“This would greatly alter the fundamental character of the conflict,” Putin said to a reporter from state television.
He stated, “This would imply that NATO nations, including the US and European nations, are in conflict with Russia. If that's true, then considering how the nature of the conflict has evolved, we will make the necessary decisions based on the dangers we will encounter.”
Deciding to push Kyiv forward to launch attacks within Russia involves determining if NATO countries will be directly engaged in the military conflict.
Putin's remarks followed shortly after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken implied, more strongly than ever, that the Biden administration is likely to remove its limitations on Ukraine using Western-supplied long-range weapons against important military objectives within Russia.
While in Kyiv with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken stated that the US has been ready to adjust its approach since the beginning, in response to the evolving circumstances on the ground in Ukraine. “We will keep doing this,” he stressed.
Blinken mentioned that he and Lammy would update their respective leaders, Joe Biden and Keir Starmer, following their discussions on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
The foreign secretary indicated that Iran sending ballistic missiles to Moscow, which came to light this week, has altered the way London and Washington are approaching strategy. He described it as a “serious and perilous escalation.”
He mentioned, "Putin is the one intensifying the situation. He has increased the transfer of missiles from Iran. We’re witnessing a new alliance forming among Russia, Iran, and North Korea." Lammy urged China to avoid aligning itself with what he referred to as "a group of outlaws."
Sources within the British government have suggested that a decision has been reached to permit Ukraine to utilize Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets in Russia. However, this news is not anticipated to be publicly revealed on Friday during Starmer's meeting with Biden in Washington D.C.
The two leaders intend to talk about the situation in Ukraine and explore potential solutions for concluding the conflict. This will be part of a broader discussion on foreign policy. However, they will not concentrate too much on specific weapons systems, as the main emphasis of the dialogue will be on overall strategy.
Contributions from Agence France-Presse
