Putin warns West of consequences if Ukraine hits Russia with long-range missiles

President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to the West regarding potential consequences if Ukraine is allowed to strike Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range missiles, the Kremlin said on Friday.

During his remarks on Thursday, Putin said that such a move would fundamentally change the nature of the conflict, suggesting that it would lead to a confrontation between Russia and the West. He emphasised that allowing Ukraine to target Russian territory with these advanced weapons would escalate the scope of the war.

”The statement made by President Putin yesterday is very important. It is extremely clear, unambiguous and does not allow for double readings. We have no doubt that this statement reached those it was intended for,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will discuss whether to give the go-ahead for such strikes at talks in Washington on Friday.

Putin said on Thursday that such a move would drag the countries supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles directly into the war. He said satellite targeting data and programming of the missiles’ flight paths would have to be provided by NATO military personnel, as Kyiv did not have the capabilities itself.

”If this decision is taken, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine,” he said, and Russia would be forced to take ”appropriate decisions”.

With inputs from agencies.