Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, suggesting that if the West were to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, it would mark a direct military engagement between NATO and Russia. Putin’s statement comes amid ongoing discussions within Western governments over whether to grant Ukraine access to advanced weaponry in its fight against Russian forces, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022.
This conflict, now over two years old, has become the largest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. The focus has recently shifted toward long-range missiles, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleading for Western-made systems such as the U.S.-produced ATACMS and the British Storm Shadow missiles. Zelensky argues that such weapons would be critical in preventing Moscow from launching further attacks.
In his comments, Putin expressed deep concerns about NATO's involvement in the actual use of such weapons. According to Putin, Ukraine lacks the necessary technical capability to use these systems independently, meaning that NATO personnel would be directly involved in key aspects such as satellite targeting and missile flight path programming.
"This is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not," Putin stated on Russian state television. "It is a question of deciding whether or not NATO countries are directly involved in a military conflict."
Putin made it clear that if NATO chose to support Ukrainian missile strikes on Russian soil, it would constitute direct participation in the war. "This will be their direct participation, and this, of course, will significantly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict," he added.
Russia’s Warnings and Strategic Response
Putin did not specify how Russia would respond to such actions but signaled that it would take "appropriate decisions" based on the new threats posed by NATO’s involvement. While he did not elaborate, Putin has previously hinted at several retaliatory measures, including arming adversaries of Western nations or deploying conventional Russian missiles within striking range of the United States and its European allies.
These comments underscore the broader risk of escalation in a conflict that has already reshaped international relations. Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power, is in the process of revising its nuclear doctrine, which defines the circumstances under which Moscow would use nuclear weapons. Putin has been urged by some within his government to explicitly state Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons against countries that "support NATO aggression in Ukraine." While such a doctrine shift has not been confirmed, its consideration reveals the gravity of Russia’s view of the ongoing war.
In addition to nuclear posturing, Russia is currently conducting large-scale naval exercises with China, signaling its continued efforts to bolster ties with other global powers that challenge Western influence. The country is also contemplating restrictions on major commodity exports, a move that could have significant global economic repercussions.
NATO and Western Concerns
For its part, the West continues to deliberate over whether to provide Ukraine with the long-range weapons Zelensky has requested. Western leaders argue that their support is crucial to counter Russia’s aggression and to prevent the war from escalating further. However, they are also wary of taking steps that could provoke a direct confrontation with Russia.
Western nations have framed their military support as a response to what they describe as Moscow’s reckless escalation of the conflict. This includes accusations that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran—claims that Tehran has dismissed as "ugly propaganda." Despite these denials, the West sees any further militarization by Russia as a threat that must be addressed with increased support for Ukraine.
The debate over long-range missiles is just the latest flashpoint in a war that has strained relations between Russia and the West to their breaking point. Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been subjected to widespread international condemnation and economic sanctions. Putin, however, has maintained that the conflict is part of a larger struggle between Russia and what he views as a declining and morally corrupt West. He accuses Western powers of having humiliated Russia after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 by expanding NATO into territories that Moscow considers its sphere of influence, including Ukraine.
For the West and Ukraine, the war is seen in starkly different terms. They view Russia’s actions as an imperial land grab, aimed at dismantling Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukraine and its allies are committed to defeating Russia on the battlefield, and despite Moscow’s control of over 18% of Ukrainian territory, Kyiv continues to resist fiercely.
The Road Ahead
The potential for further escalation remains a constant concern as the war drags on. Putin’s warning that the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine could result in NATO’s direct involvement adds another layer of complexity to an already perilous situation. If such a scenario were to unfold, the conflict could move beyond Ukraine’s borders, drawing in NATO and risking a broader, more devastating war across Europe.
For now, the world waits to see how the West will respond to Kyiv’s requests and whether NATO will risk deeper entanglement in a conflict that shows no signs of abating. Putin’s rhetoric suggests that any such move will be met with a harsh response, potentially altering the trajectory of the war and reshaping global security dynamics for years to come.
(Source:www.economictimes.com)
This conflict, now over two years old, has become the largest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. The focus has recently shifted toward long-range missiles, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleading for Western-made systems such as the U.S.-produced ATACMS and the British Storm Shadow missiles. Zelensky argues that such weapons would be critical in preventing Moscow from launching further attacks.
In his comments, Putin expressed deep concerns about NATO's involvement in the actual use of such weapons. According to Putin, Ukraine lacks the necessary technical capability to use these systems independently, meaning that NATO personnel would be directly involved in key aspects such as satellite targeting and missile flight path programming.
"This is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not," Putin stated on Russian state television. "It is a question of deciding whether or not NATO countries are directly involved in a military conflict."
Putin made it clear that if NATO chose to support Ukrainian missile strikes on Russian soil, it would constitute direct participation in the war. "This will be their direct participation, and this, of course, will significantly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict," he added.
Russia’s Warnings and Strategic Response
Putin did not specify how Russia would respond to such actions but signaled that it would take "appropriate decisions" based on the new threats posed by NATO’s involvement. While he did not elaborate, Putin has previously hinted at several retaliatory measures, including arming adversaries of Western nations or deploying conventional Russian missiles within striking range of the United States and its European allies.
These comments underscore the broader risk of escalation in a conflict that has already reshaped international relations. Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power, is in the process of revising its nuclear doctrine, which defines the circumstances under which Moscow would use nuclear weapons. Putin has been urged by some within his government to explicitly state Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons against countries that "support NATO aggression in Ukraine." While such a doctrine shift has not been confirmed, its consideration reveals the gravity of Russia’s view of the ongoing war.
In addition to nuclear posturing, Russia is currently conducting large-scale naval exercises with China, signaling its continued efforts to bolster ties with other global powers that challenge Western influence. The country is also contemplating restrictions on major commodity exports, a move that could have significant global economic repercussions.
NATO and Western Concerns
For its part, the West continues to deliberate over whether to provide Ukraine with the long-range weapons Zelensky has requested. Western leaders argue that their support is crucial to counter Russia’s aggression and to prevent the war from escalating further. However, they are also wary of taking steps that could provoke a direct confrontation with Russia.
Western nations have framed their military support as a response to what they describe as Moscow’s reckless escalation of the conflict. This includes accusations that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran—claims that Tehran has dismissed as "ugly propaganda." Despite these denials, the West sees any further militarization by Russia as a threat that must be addressed with increased support for Ukraine.
The debate over long-range missiles is just the latest flashpoint in a war that has strained relations between Russia and the West to their breaking point. Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been subjected to widespread international condemnation and economic sanctions. Putin, however, has maintained that the conflict is part of a larger struggle between Russia and what he views as a declining and morally corrupt West. He accuses Western powers of having humiliated Russia after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 by expanding NATO into territories that Moscow considers its sphere of influence, including Ukraine.
For the West and Ukraine, the war is seen in starkly different terms. They view Russia’s actions as an imperial land grab, aimed at dismantling Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukraine and its allies are committed to defeating Russia on the battlefield, and despite Moscow’s control of over 18% of Ukrainian territory, Kyiv continues to resist fiercely.
The Road Ahead
The potential for further escalation remains a constant concern as the war drags on. Putin’s warning that the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine could result in NATO’s direct involvement adds another layer of complexity to an already perilous situation. If such a scenario were to unfold, the conflict could move beyond Ukraine’s borders, drawing in NATO and risking a broader, more devastating war across Europe.
For now, the world waits to see how the West will respond to Kyiv’s requests and whether NATO will risk deeper entanglement in a conflict that shows no signs of abating. Putin’s rhetoric suggests that any such move will be met with a harsh response, potentially altering the trajectory of the war and reshaping global security dynamics for years to come.
(Source:www.economictimes.com)