Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning that Moscow could potentially arm countries to target Western objectives. This statement comes as a direct response to the West’s provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine.
Several nations, including the United States, have permitted Ukraine to strike targets within Russia. According to Putin, such actions could result in “very serious problems.” Addressing foreign reporters, he remarked, “If someone thinks it is possible to supply such weapons to a war zone to attack our territory and create problems for us, why don’t we have the right to supply weapons of the same class to regions of the world where there will be strikes on sensitive facilities of those countries?” He further noted, “The response can be asymmetric. We will think about it.”
Putin did not specify which countries might receive Russian weaponry. He particularly criticized Germany for allowing Ukraine to use long-range German-made weapons against Russian targets. “When they say that there will be more missiles that will hit targets on Russian territory, this definitively destroys Russian-German relations,” Putin stated.
Although US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons against Russian targets, this is limited to areas near the Kharkiv region. The White House has prohibited the use of long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian soil. Despite this, Ukraine has reportedly used US weapons to strike within Russia in recent days, according to a US senator and a Western official cited by the Associated Press.
Intense fighting continues to unfold northeast of Kharkiv following a renewed Russian offensive across Ukraine’s northern border. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, lies 30km (18 miles) from the border.
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UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has affirmed that it is up to Ukraine to decide how to utilize British-supplied weapons, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to strike Russian territory. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims that North Korean missiles are being deployed within its borders, and Western intelligence reports indicate that Russia has been utilizing Iranian-made drones in the conflict.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Mr Putin spoke 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.
Who came up with this? It is just complete nonsense, you know? Total rubbish.”
