On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to issue a veiled warning against Ukraine’s allies, implying that Russia could provide long-range missiles to its own friends in order to hit Western targets.
In a rare discussion with international media at a news conference in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that if NATO partners could provide weapons to Ukraine for war, he could do the same with his arsenal and distribute them to other countries eager to fight the West.
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“We are thinking that, if they consider it possible to deliver such weapons to the combat zone to launch strikes on our territory and create problems for us, why don’t we have the right to supply weapons of the same type to some regions of the world where they can be used to launch strikes on sensitive facilities of the countries that do it to Russia?” he said.
“Of course, such actions will finally… they have already reached the highest degree of degradation, but they will completely destroy international relations and undermine international security,” Putin continued.
“And ultimately, if we see that these countries are being drawn into war against us, and this is their direct involvement in the war against the Russian Federation, then we reserve the right to act the same way.”
According to the Associated Press, Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, confirmed that President Joe Biden silently approved the use of US missiles to strike targets inside Russia. Reports claim that an unnamed Western diplomat has confirmed the story.
Germany and France have also permitted Ukraine to use its weaponry, with some conditions; however, not all of Europe is on board. Italy, for example, has refused both weaponry and supplies to Ukraine, as foreign minister Antonio Tajani announced earlier this month, while also reaffirming his support for the beleaguered country. The Netherlands has pledged an additional 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine, caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has revealed.
Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Baltic countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Canada, among others, have all expressed support for the use of their armaments in the battle against Russia.
Putin told reporters at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, “We will think about it,” suggesting that the country itself, not Ukraine, should manage some weapons supplied by Western countries. As a result, he declared he would undertake “asymmetrical” travels around the world. The United States has denied that such actions actually happen.
Putin questioned, “If they consider it possible to deliver such weapons to the combat zone to launch strikes on our territory and create problems for us, why don’t we have the right to supply weapons of the same type to some regions of the world where they can use them to launch strikes on sensitive facilities of the countries that do it to Russia?”
Meanwhile, Putin made no secret of his willingness to deploy nuclear weapons if necessary. “For some reason, they believe in the West that Russia will never use it,” he stated. He pointed to Russia’s nuclear doctrine and said, “Take a look at what it says.” “If somebody’s actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all means at our disposal.”
Despite Donald Trump’s apparent liking for the Russian president, Putin appeared unconcerned when questioned about the 2024 US election and whether ties might improve if he were reinstated in the White House.
“We will work with any president the American people elect,” Putin stated.
“I say this completely honestly; I would not say that we believe that after the election, something will change on the Russian track in American politics.” We do not think so. We don’t think anything serious will happen.
Putin stated that Trump’s recent conviction in his hush money case in New York was the result of “the use of the court system as part of the internal political struggle.”
