Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Thursday that a decision by the U.S. or its NATO allies to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to hit targets deep inside Russia would be viewed as NATO’s direct participation in the war, which he said would significantly change “the very nature of the conflict.”
“Flight assignments for these missile systems can, in fact, only be entered by military personnel from NATO countries.
And therefore, it is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not.
It is a question of making a decision whether NATO countries directly participate in the military conflict or not,” Putin said in response to a question on Thursday.
“If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries, in the war in Ukraine,” the Russian leader added.
U.S. officials told CBS News that Ukraine could assign targets without the direct participation of the U.S. or NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking his Western partners to allow his country to fire long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. or Europe deep into Russian territory, including U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows.
President Biden is expected to discuss the subject in a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, D.C., later on Friday.
If the U.S. and Britain approve the move, it “will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting Russia,” Putin said.
When asked Friday whether the Kremlin had seen a reaction among Western powers to Putin’s statement, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said “the statement that Putin made yesterday is very important.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, issued a warning on Thursday that a decision by the U. s. Allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles from the West to hit targets deep inside Russia would be seen by NATO or its allies as NATO’s direct involvement in the war, he said, which would drastically alter “the very nature of the conflict.”. “.
In actuality, only military personnel from NATO member nations are able to enter flight assignments for these missile systems. Servicemen from Ukraine are unable to accomplish this. Consequently, it doesn’t matter if the Ukrainian regime is permitted to use these weapons to attack Russia. Putin responded to a question on Thursday by saying, “It is a matter of deciding whether NATO countries actively participate in the military conflict or not.
The Russian leader went on, “If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries in the war in Ukraine.”.
You. s. According to officials who spoke with CBS News, Ukraine could designate targets without the U.S. s. like NATO.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pleading with his Western allies to let his nation launch long-range missiles provided by the U.S. s. Europe far into Russian territory, encompassing U.S. S. The British Storm Shadows and ATACMS.
Meeting with U.S. officials, President Biden is anticipated to talk about the matter. KK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, D.C. later on Friday.
Should the U. S. Putin stated, “It will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting Russia” if the United States and Britain approve the move. If this is the case, we will make the necessary choices based on the threats that will be presented to us, keeping in mind the shift in the fundamental nature of this conflict. “.
Putin made a very important statement yesterday, and when asked on Friday if the Kremlin had seen a response from Western countries, spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, “Yes, it has.”. It is very unambiguous, clear, and prevents multiple readings. Without a doubt, this statement has reached the people it is intended for. “.”.
Participated in the preparation of this report.
