MOSCOW, Sept 13 (Alliance News): Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to NATO leaders, stating that any move to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of longer-range Western missiles against targets in Russia would be deemed an act of war.
In a statement to reporters, Putin asserted that such a decision would mean that NATO countries—particularly the United States and its European allies—would effectively be at war with Russia.
He indicated that Russia would respond accordingly to any increased threats posed by such actions.
Putin’s warning comes as discussions within NATO and among US allies consider whether to ease restrictions on the provision of long-range weaponry to Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have been pressing for these capabilities to target deeper into Russian territory as the conflict, now over two years old, continues.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Kyiv, hinted that the Biden administration might be open to adjusting its policy on long-range weapons in response to evolving battlefield needs.
The potential policy shift has been a topic of intense discussion, with US and UK leaders preparing for talks on the issue.
Despite some adjustments allowing limited cross-border strikes, US President Joe Biden has yet to authorize the use of longer-range systems, citing concerns over potential escalation of the conflict.
Congressional pressure is mounting, with bipartisan calls for easing these restrictions to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
In response, Russia’s security service, the FSB, has accused six British diplomats of espionage, escalating tensions amid these developments.
While the US has provided intelligence support to Ukraine, including for targeting, it remains cautious about fully lifting the restrictions on longer-range weapons.
Recent Ukrainian strikes using existing long-range ATACMS missiles have targeted Russian assets in occupied Crimea, demonstrating the strategic value of such systems.
