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Top Russian officials have warned of serious consequences if Ukraine is allowed to use Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia.
Let’s bring you up to speed: The US and UK are weighing the option to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range weapons to hit deeper into Russian territory, a decision that could change the course of the conflict. In recent talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need for long-range weapons to stop Russian aggression and speed up the war’s end. According to leaks of the meetings, both the US and UK are getting closer to approving Ukraine’s request. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also met with President Biden yesterday to discuss Ukraine’s military needs and the broader impact of increased Western involvement.
Threats from Russia: Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow is prepared for any escalation, adding that Russia’s response “will not be pretty.” Russian President Vladimir Putin also chimed in, saying, “This would in a significant way change the very nature of the conflict. It would mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries, are at war with Russia.”
What Ukraine is saying: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly reiterated his calls for the US and UK to allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with long-range weapons. He said, “Anyone who simply sees on a map where Russia strikes from on a daily basis, where Russia trains its forces and keeps reserves, where it locates military facilities and what logistics it uses – anyone who sees all this, clearly understands why Ukraine needs long-range capability. Unfortunately, Putin and his inner circle have not been tangibly affected by the war so far, yet, yet. But Putin and his cronies must feel all the problems that war brings. And this means that the war must become significantly more difficult for Russia. Only then can Russia be forced to understand that the war will have to end. And it must end fairly – on the basis of international law. This requires strong decisions from the world.”
Andriy Yermak, a top official from Zelensky’s office, added, “Strong decisions are needed. Terror can be stopped by destroying the military facilities where it originates. “
