Moscow could decide to strike those countries that have authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. The warning comes directly from the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. “The conflict in Ukraine has acquired elements of a global character after attacks by Western long-range missiles against Russia,” the Kremlin chief said in a televised address to the nation. “It is impossible to use long-range weapons on Russian territory without specialists from the countries where they were produced, this is known,” the Russian president remarked. Hence the warning: «Russia considers itself authorized to use weapons against the military structures of countries that authorize the use of their weapons against Russia». Moscow, the Russian president further explained, “will respond decisively and speculate in the event of escalation”. Putin reassured his intention to resolve the disputes “by peaceful means”. But, at the same time, the message is clear: “Russia is ready for any development of events.”
The Russian president then announced that Moscow had tested a new intermediate-range missile in an attack on Ukraine. The move came in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory with US and British missiles earlier in the week. Putin explained that advance warnings will be issued if there are further attacks with these missiles against Ukraine, to allow civilians to evacuate safely. This is also because, Putin underlined, “US air defense systems would not be able to intercept Russian missiles”. On the contrary, «Russian air defense systems repelled attacks by Western long-range missiles on the territory of Russia, the enemy’s objectives were not achieved». From Kiev the accusation is that the missile launched from Moscow “looks like an intercontinental ballistic missile”. According to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin “is using Ukraine as a testing ground.” However, after initial information from the Ukrainian Air Force, a Western official raised doubts that it was indeed a missile of that caliber. The fact remains that long-range missiles represent a new phase of the war. As highlighted by the Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrei Kelin, with the use of British Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil «Britain is now directly involved in the war».
“These fights cannot take place without the intervention of NATO and Great Britain,” the ambassador remarked. Zelensky’s presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, speaking to LaPresse about the use of Western missiles, highlighted how “the decisions of our partners will have an extremely important impact on the course of the war as a whole.” “Right now we are already seeing a panic reaction from Russia, which it is trying to disguise with classic ‘nuclear threats’ and the use of various missile formats for mass attacks against civilians,” commented Podolyak.
#Escalation #Mirror #response #conflict #global #Tempo
What is Dr. Natalia Ivanova’s opinion on the potential for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine?
## Interview with Dr. Natalia Ivanova, Russia Expert
**Host:** Welcome back to Global Perspectives.
Joining us today is Dr. Natalia Ivanova, a leading expert on Russia and international security. Dr. Ivanova, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has made some alarming statements recently concerning potential retaliation against nations supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles. What can you tell us about this?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thanks for having me. President Putin’s statements signal a significant escalation in rhetoric, and potentially, in military strategy. He’s explicitly stated Russia reserves the right to target the military infrastructure of countries authorizing the use of long-range missiles against Russia, even though these are being used by Ukrainian forces.
**Host:** This implies that countries like the US and UK could be directly targeted, even if no direct military involvement by these countries is taking place?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Exactly. Putin is drawing a direct line between the provision of these weapons systems and attacks on Russian territory. This is a dangerous precedent, blurring the lines between direct and indirect involvement in the conflict, and potentially expanding the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.
**Host:** What do you make of Putin’s assertion that Russia’s new Oreshnik hypersonic missile could be used against “decision-making centers” in Kyiv?
**Dr. Ivanova:** This fits into a pattern of increasingly aggressive rhetoric and threats. [1] While it’s unclear whether this is a genuine threat or a calculated attempt to intimidate Ukraine and its allies, it underscores the seriousness of the situation. The use of hypersonic missiles against civilian targets would be a clear violation of international law and could have devastating consequences.
**Host:** Putin claims Russia is open to resolving disputes peacefully. Does this signal a potential de-escalation or is it simply a tactic to buy time?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
Putin’s calls for peaceful resolution are often overshadowed by his actions and statements. While a negotiated settlement is the ideal outcome, given the current climate of mistrust and heightened tensions, it seems unlikely in the near future.
**Host:** Dr. Ivanova, thank you for your insightful analysis. This is a complex and rapidly evolving situation, and we will continue to follow developments closely.
**[1]** https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-russia-could-strike-decision-making-centres-kyiv-2024-11-28/
