Putin's message to the West if it allows Kyiv to strike deep into Russia with long-range weapons

Published:12 Sep 2024

https://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/522639-putin-revela-piensa-uso-armas-largo-alcance-kiev

According to the Russian president, if such a decision were taken, it would mean "direct participation" of the West in the Ukrainian conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday in statements to the press that if the decision were taken to allow Ukraine to strike deep into internationally recognized Russian territory with Western long-range weapons, it would mean that NATO countries "are at war with Russia."

"If this decision is taken, it will mean, nothing less, than the direct involvement of NATO countries […] in the war in Ukraine. That is a direct involvement," he said.

According to Putin, the Ukrainian army "is incapable of carrying out strikes with modern long-range precision systems of Western manufacture on its own" and the attacks are only possible by using intelligence data from NATO satellites, which Kyiv does not have. In addition, "these missile systems can only be piloted by NATO military personnel," he added.

"And if so, with a view to changing the nature of the conflict, we will make the appropriate decision based on the threats we face," the Russian president said.

According to Putin, the Ukrainian army "is incapable of carrying out attacks with modern long-range precision systems of Western manufacture on its own" and the attacks are only possible using intelligence data from NATO satellites, which Kiev does not have. In addition, "these missile systems can only be piloted by NATO military personnel," he added.

"So, it is not a question of allowing or not allowing the Ukrainian regime to attack Russia with these weapons. It is a question of deciding whether NATO countries should be directly involved in the military conflict," he stressed.

The head of state also noted that "these are trying to replace concepts." "It is not a question of allowing or prohibiting Kiev from attacking the Russian Federation. It is already carrying out attacks with unmanned aerial vehicles and other means," he said, adding that Kyiv cannot do so with long-range weapons.

Meanwhile, The Times reported, citing two people familiar with the matter, that Washington may allow Kyiv to use long-range British and French missiles to strike deep into Russia, but not American missiles, "in the hope of avoiding a further escalation of the conflict."