Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning on Wednesday, suggesting the possibility of transferring long-range weapons to other nations to target Western interests.
Speaking at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin’s remarks underscored Moscow’s response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to utilize their supplied arms against Russian territory.
Putin emphasized Russia’s readiness to retaliate with nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is perceived to be at risk, stating, “That would mark their direct involvement in the war against the Russian Federation, and we reserve the right to act the same way.”
Recent actions by the United States and Germany permitting Ukraine to target specific locations on Russian soil with supplied long-range weapons have heightened tensions further.
Reports indicate that Ukraine has already utilized U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia following newly approved guidelines from President Joe Biden, allowing American arms to be deployed for defensive purposes in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
Putin alleged that some Western-supplied weapons involve military personnel from those countries controlling the missiles and selecting targets, prompting Moscow to consider “asymmetrical” responses elsewhere in the world.
He questioned why Russia shouldn’t have the right to supply similar weapons to regions where they could target sensitive facilities of countries acting against Russia’s interests.
While addressing concerns over nuclear armament, Putin reiterated that Russia’s security doctrine clearly outlines conditions for utilizing such arsenals, emphasizing the nation’s prerogative to employ all means necessary to safeguard its sovereignty.
The Russian leader’s remarks also touched on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where he claimed that the West missed opportunities to end hostilities. Putin cited a supposed letter he wrote to President Biden, suggesting that the conflict could cease within two to three months if Washington ceased supplying Kyiv with weapons.
Regarding military losses, Putin asserted that no country reveals such information during hostilities, while claiming Ukrainian casualties exceed Russian losses. However, these claims could not be independently verified, with Western estimates often placing Russia’s losses higher than Ukraine’s.
In addition to geopolitical discussions, Putin addressed the case of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia on espionage charges for over a year. Putin stated that the U.S. is taking steps to secure his release, hinting at the possibility of a prisoner swap based on reciprocity.
