The Kremlin has officially labeled the United States as an "enemy" for the first time.
This stark statement was made by Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary, during a press briefing on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid increasing friction over Ukraine's use of American-supplied weapons on Russian territory.
"We are now an enemy country for them, just as they are for us," Peskov declared, a sentiment reportedly unprecedented from either Peskov or Putin. This shift in rhetoric coincides with former American intelligence officer Scott Ritter's claims that he was barred from traveling to Russia and had his passport confiscated by U.S. border officials.
Ritter, who has a history of contributing to Russian state media and echoing Kremlin talking points on the Ukraine conflict, told Russian state-run news agency Tass that he was removed from a flight from New York to Istanbul. He had intended to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. According to Ritter, authorities offered no explanation for preventing his travel, citing only directives from the U.S. State Department.
The U.S. State Department, when queried by Newsweek, declined to comment on the specifics of Ritter's situation due to privacy considerations but noted that there are several conditions under which a U.S. passport may be revoked, including active warrants, criminal records, and tax debts.
This development comes in the wake of President Joe Biden's recent decision to permit Ukraine to use some American-supplied weapons to strike targets within Russia. The Biden administration emphasized that these measures were enacted swiftly to defend Ukraine's Kharkiv region from Russian aggression. However, the use of long-range missiles, such as ATACMS, on Russian soil remains prohibited.
Putin has issued stern warnings to NATO countries, especially those in Europe, about the potential consequences of allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western weapons. "They should keep in mind that theirs are small and densely populated countries, which is a factor to reckon with before they start talking about striking deep into Russian territory," Putin cautioned, highlighting the risk of escalating into a broader conflict.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned the U.S. against "miscalculations that could have fatal consequences," underscoring Putin's repeated assertions on the matter. Ryabkov stressed that the Kremlin's warnings are "very significant" and should be taken with the utmost seriousness.
The rhetoric from Moscow represents a notable shift in tone. Historically, Russia has referred to the U.S. and its allies as "unfriendly states" or "opponents." In March, Peskov mentioned that while Russia objected to the U.S. politicians' disrespect towards Putin, there was "no anti-American sentiment" in Moscow, even expressing hope for a future realization that the peoples of America and Russia are not enemies.
This change in language follows a pattern of heightened confrontations between the two superpowers, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine. The Kremlin's new stance reflects deepening animosity and a potential recalibration of its foreign policy in response to what it perceives as increasing American hostility.
The situation is further complicated by the internal dynamics within the U.S., where President Biden's administration faces criticism and pressure regarding its handling of the Ukraine crisis. The authorization for Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian targets marks a significant policy stance, one that could have long-lasting implications for international relations and global security.
