Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to the West, stating that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory would lead to direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
“This is not just about allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons,” he stated in an interview with Russian state TV on Thursday. “It’s about deciding if NATO countries want to be directly involved in a military conflict.”
President Putin emphasized that if Western nations permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles, it would signal their direct involvement in the war. “This will significantly change the very essence and nature of the conflict,” he added.
His remarks come as the United States and the United Kingdom weigh lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western missiles to target sites within Russia.
In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pointed out that Russia initiated the war by illegally invading Ukraine and could stop it at any time. “Ukraine has the right to self-defense,” Starmer said, en route to Washington for a meeting with US President Joe Biden.
“We have provided training and capability to help Ukraine defend itself,” he added, hinting at the possibility of further discussions with the US regarding future military aid.
Ukraine has long requested permission to hit military targets deep inside Russian territory with US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which can hit targets up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away. However, the US remains cautious, trying to support Ukraine without provoking direct conflict with Russia.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western military aid, arguing it worsens the conflict and heightens the risk of NATO’s involvement. Russia has also accused the West of fueling the conflict through NATO expansion and the deployment of weapon systems near its borders.
Echoing Putin’s warning at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said strikes on Russian territory with Western weapons would “directly involve” NATO in the war. He also reminded Ukraine’s allies that Russia is a nuclear power, urging them to consider the risks of further escalation.
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