Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning that Moscow might supply weapons to countries that could potentially target Western nations.
This statement came as a critique of the West’s provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine.
Several countries, including the United States, have allowed Ukraine to strike targets within Russia, which Putin said could result in “very serious problems.”
“If someone thinks it is possible to supply such weapons to a war zone to attack our territory and create problems for us, why don’t we have the right to supply weapons of the same class to regions of the world where there will be strikes on sensitive facilities of those countries?”
Putin questioned. He hinted at an asymmetric response but did not specify which countries might receive Russian arms.
Putin particularly criticized Germany for permitting Ukraine to use long-range German-made weapons to hit targets inside Russia. He claimed that this move could “definitively destroy Russian-German relations.”
US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons against targets in Russia, though only in areas near the Kharkiv region.
The White House has restricted Ukraine from using long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian soil.
Nonetheless, recent reports from a US senator and a Western official indicated that Ukraine has utilized US weapons to strike within Russia.
Intense combat continues northeast of Kharkiv, close to Ukraine’s northern border, with the city located just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Russia.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron asserted that it is up to Ukraine to decide how to deploy British weapons, affirming Ukraine’s right to strike Russian territory.
Ukraine has reported the use of North Korean missiles within its borders, while Western intelligence agencies have identified the use of Iranian-made drones by Russia in the conflict.
Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
At the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin addressed foreign journalists, cautioning that the West’s belief that Russia would never use nuclear weapons is mistaken.
“We have a nuclear doctrine, look what it says. If someone’s actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible for us to use all means at our disposal,” he stated, emphasizing that this should not be taken lightly.
Putin also dismissed the notion that Russia intends to attack NATO territory, criticizing the portrayal of Russia as an enemy.
“They thought that Russia wanted to attack NATO. Have you gone completely crazy? That is as thick as this table. Who came up with this? It is just complete nonsense, you know? Total rubbish,” he said.
Source-BBC
