Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Thursday {that a} choice by the U.S. or its NATO allies to permit Ukraine to make use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to hit targets deep inside Russia can be considered as NATO’s direct participation within the conflict, which he mentioned would considerably change “the very nature of the battle.”
“Flight assignments for these missile techniques can, in reality, solely be entered by navy personnel from NATO international locations. Ukrainian servicemen can not do that. And due to this fact, it isn’t a query of permitting the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It’s a query of creating a call whether or not NATO international locations straight take part within the navy battle or not,” Putin mentioned in response to a query on Thursday.
“If this choice is made, it’ll imply nothing lower than the direct participation of NATO international locations, america, and European international locations, within the conflict in Ukraine,” the Russian chief added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking his Western companions to permit his nation to fireside long-range missiles equipped by the U.S. or Europe deep into Russian territory, together with U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows.
President Biden is anticipated to debate the topic in a gathering with U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, D.C., in a while Friday.
If the U.S. and Britain approve the transfer, it “will imply that NATO international locations, america, and European international locations are preventing Russia,” Putin mentioned. “And if that is so, then, taking into account the change within the very essence of this battle, we are going to make acceptable selections primarily based on the threats that might be created for us.”
When requested Friday whether or not the Kremlin had seen a response amongst Western powers to Putin’s assertion, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned “the assertion that Putin made yesterday is essential. This can be very clear, unambiguous and doesn’t permit for any double readings. And now we have little question that this assertion has reached its addressees.”
