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 are the potential consequences for NATO if Russia follows through on its threat to target countries supplying weapons to Ukraine?
## Interview: Putin Escalates Ukraine Conflict
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, a leading expert on Russian foreign policy and security. Dr. Carter, we’ve seen some tense developments in the Ukraine war, with Russia claiming to have tested a new missile in response to Ukrainian attacks on its soil. Can you explain what we know so far?
**Dr. Carter:** Certainly. President Putin delivered a televised address where he stated that the conflict has taken on a global character due to Western long-range missiles being used against Russia. He asserted that Russia has the right to strike back at the countries supplying those missiles.
**Host:** This sounds incredibly serious. Is Putin threatening to target NATO countries?
**Dr. Carter:** His rhetoric certainly implies that. Putin claims that it’s impossible to use these long-range weapons without specialists from the countries that produced them. He’s specifically mentioned US and British missiles being used by Ukraine against Russia. This suggests he’s willing to escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.
**Host:** This comes after reports of Ukraine using Western-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russia. What’s your take on this new phase in the war?
**Dr. Carter:** It is a dangerous escalation. The use of long-range missiles represents a significant shift in the conflict, introducing a new level of risk and unpredictability. Putin’s warning about targeting countries supplying weapons to Ukraine is unprecedented and raises concerns about a potential widening of the conflict.
**Host:** What are the implications of this development for the international community?
**Dr. Carter:** The international community is being forced to confront the possibility of a direct military confrontation with Russia. This raises serious questions about NATO’s response and the potential for a wider war. The situation requires careful diplomatic maneuvering to de-escalate tensions and prevent a catastrophic escalation.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, thank you for your insightful analysis.
**Dr. Carter:** You’re welcome.
