Russia has issued a stern warning to the West, stating that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles could lead to a direct conflict between NATO and Moscow. This development follows ongoing talks between U.S. and U.K. officials regarding Ukraine’s appeal to lift restrictions on using Western-supplied long-range weapons against Russian targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has persistently called for advanced weaponry, specifically U.S.-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, which would allow strikes deep into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response, cautioned that such an escalation could force Russia to take serious measures, potentially escalating the conflict beyond Ukraine. Putin labeled the move as a dangerous provocation that could draw NATO into a broader war.
Putin’s remarks came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Kyiv, where he discussed the possibility of providing Ukraine with additional military aid. Blinken hinted that the U.S. is willing to “adjust and adapt” its support as the war evolves, though the Pentagon has maintained that restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons remain unchanged. Pentagon officials criticized Putin’s comments, calling them “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
“Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling is not new, but it is dangerous,” a Pentagon spokesperson said. “We haven’t seen any indications that require changes to our strategic posture, but we are closely monitoring the situation.”
U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to address Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles during an upcoming meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House. Starmer, in response to Putin’s warning, reiterated that it was Russia who initiated the war and that only Russia has the power to end it.
Despite the high-stakes discussions, Ukrainian forces continue their offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk region. President Zelensky acknowledged that Russian troops are counterattacking but insisted that Ukraine’s military efforts are progressing as planned.
