Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles would mean NATO countries are directly fighting Russia. He says the move would change the nature of the conflict.
Ukraine has been asking the United States and European countries to allow the country to use long-range weapons supplied by them to destroy Russia’s missile-launch facilities. But the Western countries have been restricting the use of the weapons to some Russian border areas.
Putin told Russian state TV on Thursday that Ukraine does not have the capability to use the Western long-range missile systems without NATO’s involvement.
Putin said allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with such weapons would mean NATO countries are parties to the war in Ukraine. He said this will dramatically change the very essence and very nature of the conflict.
Putin added that Moscow would make appropriate decisions in response to the threats posed against Russia.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to discuss the issue during their meeting in Washington on Friday.