Putin warns Russia could provide weapons to strike West
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a cautionary statement suggesting the potential provision of arms to certain nations aimed at targeting Western interests.
This declaration came amidst his criticism of the West’s supply of long-range weaponry to Ukraine, which has been authorized to target sites within Russia by several countries, including the United States.
Expressing concern over the implications of such actions, Putin warned of possible “very serious problems” during his discussion with foreign journalists.
He questioned the logic behind furnishing weapons to a conflict zone with intentions to attack Russian territory, hinting at Russia’s possible response by supplying similar arms to areas where threats to critical facilities of those nations are looming.
While implying the possibility of an asymmetrical response, Putin refrained from specifying the countries to which Russia might provide arms. However, he highlighted Germany, which recently permitted Ukraine to utilize German-made long-range weapons for targeting sites within Russia, as an example.
Putin emphasized the detrimental effect on Russian-German relations if there were an increase in missiles striking targets on Russian soil. Notably, US President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons for striking targets in Russia, albeit restricted to areas near the Kharkiv region. The White House clarified that Ukraine cannot employ long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian territory.
According to reports from a US senator and a Western official to the Associated Press, Ukraine has indeed utilized US weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days.
Fierce fighting has been raging north-east of Kharkiv since a new Russian push across Ukraine’s northern border. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, is just 30km (18 miles) from the border.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has said it is up to Ukraine to decide how to use British weapons and insisted it has the right to strike targets on Russian territory.
Ukraine says North Korean missiles are being used inside Ukrainian territory, and Western intelligence agencies say Russia has been using Iranian-made drones in the conflict.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Mr Putin was speaking to foreign journalists at the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He also warned that the West was wrong to assume that Moscow would never use nuclear weapons.
“For some reason, the West believes that Russia will never use it,” Mr Putin said when asked by Reuters about the risk of nuclear escalation over Ukraine.
“We have a nuclear doctrine, look what it says. If someone’s actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible for us to use all means at our disposal.
“This should not be taken lightly, superficially.”
Mr Putin also dismissed the idea that Russia has plans to attack Nato territory.
“You should not make Russia out to be the enemy. You’re only hurting yourself with this, you know?” Mr Putin said.
“They thought that Russia wanted to attack Nato. Have you gone completely crazy? That is as thick as this table.
