Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that Russia could supply long-range weapons to other countries to target Western nations. This response comes after NATO allies, including the United States and Germany, authorized Ukraine to use their supplied weapons to strike targets within Russian territory.
During a rare press conference, Putin criticized the West’s decision to arm Ukraine with long-range weapons, arguing that such actions could lead to severe consequences and further destabilize international security. He indicated that providing Ukraine with these capabilities marked a direct involvement in the conflict, thus justifying a similar response from Russia. “If they think it is possible to supply weapons to the combat zone to attack our territory, we have the right to supply weapons of the same type to regions where strikes can be made on their sensitive facilities,” Putin stated.
Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened, adding a chilling dimension to his threats. His remarks came as tensions between Russia and Western nations continue to escalate amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, echoed Putin’s sentiments with an explicit nuclear threat. Medvedev warned that Western leaders should not underestimate Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine or NATO member states, describing it as neither a bluff nor an attempt at intimidation.
The United States and Germany have recently approved the use of their supplied long-range weapons by Ukraine to defend key areas such as Kharkiv, which is near the Russian border. These authorizations are intended to enable Ukraine to counter Russian offensives more effectively. However, Russia perceives this as a significant escalation, accusing the West of directly controlling the weapons and target selection.
Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reiterated that the U.S. military does not control the missiles it provides to Ukraine or their targets. Nevertheless, the involvement of Western personnel in these operations remains a point of contention.
The international community is closely watching these developments. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned of “fatal consequences” if U.S.-supplied weapons are used against targets within Russia. He emphasized the seriousness of Russia’s potential retaliation, a sentiment echoed by various Kremlin officials.
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