Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has already warned the West of the consequences of the of allowing Kiev to use long-range weapons for attacks on Russian territory, the Russian Foreign Ministry said tonight following reports that the U.S. has already given its authorization.
“The president has already made a statement on the matter.”Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the RBC portal, in an apparent reference to statements made by the head of the Kremlin last September that have been reproduced by several Russian media in recent hours.
The Russian leader said then that if the West agrees to authorize attacks inside Russia with its long-range missiles, that would change the “essence” and “nature” of the conflict in Ukraine.
“This will mean that NATO countries, the US and European states, are fighting with Russia“, Putin assured on September 13.
According to the U.S. press on Sunday, President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons. U.S. arms to limited attacks inside Russia.
So far, neither the White House nor the Pentagon have confirmed it.
The authorized weapons are specifically supersonic guided missiles called ATACMS that can carry conventional or cluster warheads, and have a range of about 190 miles or 300 kilometersThe Washington Post reports.
If confirmed, Biden’s decision could mean a major boost to Ukraine just before his administration gives way in January to that of Donald Trump, who has repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine.