Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn a clear red line, cautioning the West against allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory.
This declaration came as the conflict in Ukraine continued to escalate, with Russia accusing the West of increasingly involvement in the war.
Speaking in St. Petersburg, Putin emphasized that any such actions would be viewed as “direct participation” of NATO countries in the war, fundamentally altering the nature of the conflict. He stressed that Russia would consider this a direct attack, leading to severe consequences.
Putin’s warning was rooted in concerns that Ukraine is receiving advanced military aid from the West, including tanks, missile systems, and F-16 fighter jets. Russia has repeatedly accused the West of “fighting Russia” and launching a “war” on Russia, despite being the aggressor in the conflict.
The Russian leader’s potential response to the crossing of this red line remained ambiguous, but he hinted at improving air defense systems and destroying missiles.
Additionally, he suggested arming Western adversaries to strike Western targets abroad, a move that has been considered by Moscow.
This development comes as Russia announces plans to revise its nuclear doctrine, citing the escalating tensions with Western adversaries.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the decision is connected to the growing tensions, sparking concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation.
The West has previously ignored Russia’s red lines, but Putin’s latest warning signals a heightened sense of urgency and a willingness to take drastic measures to protect Russian territory.
As the conflict in Ukraine continued to intensify, the international community is on high alert, awaiting the West’s response to Putin’s warning and the potential consequences of crossing this red line.
Follow us on:
