Putin Warns West: Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine Could Escalate Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to Western nations regarding the potential consequences of allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian territory. The Kremlin, on September 13, 2024, emphasized the significance of Putin's statement made the previous day.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated that Putin's message was unambiguous and intended for specific recipients. This communication comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy continues to appeal to Kyiv's allies for advanced weaponry, including long-range missiles such as the U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows.

The ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) has a range of up to 300 km, while the Storm Shadow cruise missile can reach targets approximately 560 km away. These capabilities could potentially alter the strategic balance in the ongoing conflict, which escalated with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin asserted that allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles would effectively involve NATO countries directly in the conflict. He pointed out that such operations would require satellite targeting data and programming assistance from NATO personnel, as Ukraine lacks these capabilities independently.

"If this decision is taken, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine."

The Russian leader warned that Moscow would be compelled to take "appropriate decisions" in response to such actions. This statement raises concerns about potential escalation, as the principle of collective defense is a key aspect of NATO's founding treaty.

As of September 13, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were scheduled to discuss the possibility of authorizing such strikes during talks in Washington. This meeting underscores the ongoing support from Western nations, with both the United States and the United Kingdom providing significant military aid to Ukraine since the conflict began.

The use of Western weapons by Ukraine has been a contentious issue throughout the conflict, with international law prohibiting the use of force against the territorial integrity of other states. However, the principle of self-defense has been invoked to justify support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.

As tensions continue to rise, the international community remains focused on the potential ramifications of introducing long-range missile capabilities into the conflict, and the delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding direct confrontation with Russia.