Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned NATO leaders that if they decide to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of longer-range Western missiles to target deep within Russia, it would be regarded as an act of war.
“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 told reporters on Thursday.
Putin’s remarks come at a time when US and NATO allies seem more willing to consider permitting Ukrainian forces to use Western-supplied long-range weapon systems to target Russian military positions. Kyiv has been advocating for this capability as the war stretches into its second year.
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During a recent visit to Kyiv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted strongly that the White House might be contemplating easing restrictions, reflecting a broader strategic shift among NATO partners.
“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 said, while speaking alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Washington on Friday for talks with US President Joe Biden, focusing on the potential use of Western weapons against targets in Russia.
While the US has made some adjustments to allow limited cross-border strikes into Russia with US-provided weapons, President Biden has yet to authorize the use of longer-range systems. Concerns about escalating the conflict have been cited as reasons for this caution.
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Ahead of these discussions, Russia’s FSB revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of spying without presenting evidence. The UK later clarified that the expulsion happened last month and dismissed the allegations as “completely baseless.”
Biden faces growing pressure from lawmakers on both sides to relax the restrictions as Ukraine works to solidify its gains on the battlefield and faces potential setbacks from Russian forces.
On Tuesday, the bipartisan congressional Ukraine caucus urged Biden to permit strikes within Russia using long-range weapons. Key House Republicans also wrote to the president this week, echoing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call to lift the restrictions.
However, on Thursday, Putin expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s capability to conduct long-range strikes independently, suggesting that Kyiv would need NATO assistance with targeting due to its limitations with advanced Western systems.
The US military already provides intelligence to Ukraine and has assisted with targeting, though not for the long-range systems currently under consideration.
Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, a Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, noted that additional intelligence resources, such as commercial satellite imagery, might also be available to Ukrainian forces, depending on the target.
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During a news conference on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the US continues to provide intelligence to Ukraine as part of its military support but did not specify whether the US would increase its intelligence sharing.
Addressing concerns about escalation, Blinken acknowledged they are a consideration but not the sole factor, and he also criticized Russia for its acquisition of Iranian ballistic missiles.
“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,” said Blinken.
In October 2023, the US provided Ukraine with long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, which have a maximum range of approximately 180 miles (290 kilometers).
Ukraine has consistently urged its Western allies to support the use of weapons systems with even greater reach into Russian territory.
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