Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to NATO, asserting that allowing Ukraine to use long-range Western missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory would be tantamount to a declaration of war. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Putin stated, "This will mean that NATO countries - the United States and European countries - are at war with Russia. And if this is the case, then, bearing in mind the change in the essence of the conflict, we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats that will be posed to us."
Putin's comments come at a critical juncture, as U.S. and NATO allies appear increasingly open to lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of advanced Western weaponry to target Russian military sites. Kyiv has long lobbied for the ability to strike deeper into Russian territory, a move they argue is essential for countering Moscow's aggression and achieving meaningful progress on the battlefield.
During a recent visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at a possible policy shift, stating, "From day one, as you heard me say, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed, and I have no doubt that we'll continue to do that as this evolves." Blinken's remarks were made alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, signaling a unified front among Western powers.
The issue is set to be a focal point of discussions between U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer during their meeting in Washington on Friday. Before these high-level talks, tensions further escalated when Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of espionage.
While the Biden administration has thus far permitted limited cross-border strikes into Russia using U.S.-provided weapons, it has been cautious about authorizing the use of longer-range systems. The primary concern among U.S. officials has been the potential for such a move to escalate the conflict into a broader war involving NATO.
However, pressure is mounting on Biden from both sides of the political aisle. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including key House Republicans, has called on the president to lift the restrictions, arguing that the current policy hampers Ukraine's ability to defend itself effectively. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also repeatedly urged for a more aggressive stance, emphasizing the strategic importance of targeting Russian military infrastructure deep within the country.
Putin, however, cast doubt on Ukraine's capability to conduct such operations independently, suggesting that any long-range strikes would require direct NATO involvement. "The Ukrainian army is not capable of using cutting-edge high-precision long-range systems supplied by the West without NATO assistance in targeting," Putin asserted. His comments underline the Kremlin's view that NATO is already deeply entangled in the conflict, providing not only weapons but also intelligence and strategic support to Ukrainian forces.
Despite these concerns, Blinken remained resolute in his stance, reiterating the U.S.'s commitment to supporting Ukraine while downplaying the risk of escalation. "We've now seen this action of Russia acquiring ballistic missiles from Iran, which will further empower their aggression in Ukraine, so if anyone is taking escalatory action, it would appear to be Mr. Putin and Russia," Blinken stated.
The U.S. first supplied Ukraine with long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles in October 2023. These missiles, which have a range of approximately 180 miles, have been used by Ukrainian forces to target high-value Russian assets in occupied Crimea, including air defenses, ammunition depots, and airfields. Kyiv has argued that access to these systems is critical for neutralizing Russian airpower and disrupting supply lines.
As discussions about lifting the restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles continue, the implications of such a move are far-reaching. Experts warn that enabling Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory could provoke a severe response from Moscow, potentially drawing NATO directly into the conflict.
