World
Putin Warns of NATO Conflict Over Ukraine Attacks
In a tense warning, Putin highlights the escalating risks of conflict with NATO amid ongoing attacks in Ukraine. Explore the implications of his statements and the potential for increased military tensions in Eastern Europe.
Putin Issues Stark Warning to the West
In a significant escalation of rhetoric, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia cautioned the United States and its Western allies on Thursday that if they allow Ukraine to launch attacks deeper into Russian territory, it would effectively place his nation “at war” with NATO. This statement came just a day before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was scheduled to meet President Biden in Washington to discuss the potential lifting of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range weapons in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Throughout the 30 months of war, Ukraine’s Western supporters have progressively made concessions to bolster Kyiv’s military efforts. This support has included the provision of increasingly sophisticated weaponry, such as tanks, fighter jets, and long-range missiles. Despite his previous threats, Mr. Putin has not yet escalated the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. However, in his comments on Thursday—some of the most pointed regarding the possibility of conflict with NATO—Mr. Putin asserted that the West’s involvement would not only entail supplying hardware to Ukraine but would also necessitate providing intelligence and advanced technology. This shift in the nature of support could significantly alter the West’s engagement in the conflict and the potential for a Russian response.
Russian State Media:
Recently, we have been observing high-level statements from both the United Kingdom and the United States suggesting that the Kyiv regime will soon be permitted to target deep within Russia using Western long-range weaponry. It appears that this decision is either imminent or may have already been made, based on our analysis. This situation is quite extraordinary. Could you provide your insights on what is unfolding?
President Putin:
What we are witnessing is an attempt to redefine the narrative. This is not merely about whether the Kyiv regime is allowed or prohibited from attacking targets on Russian soil. In fact, they are already conducting strikes using unmanned aerial vehicles and other methods. However, the use of Western-made long-range precision weapons represents an entirely different scenario.