Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Western nations, stating that if Ukraine is allowed to use Western-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, it would signify direct involvement by the West in the conflict. This would fundamentally alter the nature and scope of the war, Putin asserted.
Implications of Western Missiles
For months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been advocating for the use of Western missiles, such as the US ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, to target deep within Russian territory. The aim is to hinder Moscow’s ability to launch attacks and shift the strategic balance.
In a recent interview with Russian state TV, Putin emphasized that such a move would not merely be about allowing Ukraine to strike Russia but would signal direct NATO involvement. He explained that NATO military personnel would likely need to provide critical satellite targeting data and program the missiles’ flight paths, as Ukraine currently lacks these capabilities.
“If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States, and European nations in the war in Ukraine,” Putin warned. He suggested that this would dramatically change the conflict’s nature, escalating it to a broader confrontation involving the West.
Potential Russian Responses
Putin indicated that Russia would be compelled to respond with “appropriate decisions” if the West were to take such a step. While he did not specify the exact measures, he has previously mentioned the possibility of arming adversaries of the West with Russian weapons or deploying conventional missiles within striking distance of the United States and its European allies.
Context and Background
The ongoing conflict began when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, marking one of the most significant confrontations between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Putin has framed the conflict as part of an existential struggle against a declining West, which he believes has encroached on Russia’s sphere of influence since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The West and Ukraine view the invasion as an imperialistic land grab, with a strong commitment to defeating Russia on the battlefield.
As of now, Russia controls over 18% of Ukrainian territory, with the conflict showing no signs of abating despite international diplomatic efforts and military support for Ukraine.