By Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating that Western countries would be directly fighting Russia if they allow Ukraine to use Western-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. In some of his most bellicose comments to date, Putin emphasized that such a move would fundamentally alter the nature and scope of the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to Russian state television, Putin asserted that the use of Western long-range missiles against Russia would necessitate direct involvement of NATO military personnel in targeting and programming the weapons. “This is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is a question of deciding whether or not NATO countries are directly involved in a military conflict,” Putin declared.
The Russian leader’s comments come in response to repeated pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for Western allies to provide Kyiv with advanced missile systems, including U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows. Zelenskiy argues that such weapons are crucial for limiting Moscow’s ability to launch attacks from within Russian territory.
Putin warned that if Western countries decide to supply these weapons, “It will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine. This will be their direct participation, and this, of course, will significantly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict.”
The Russian president hinted at potential retaliatory measures, stating that Russia would be forced to take “appropriate decisions” based on the new threats. While not specifying these measures, Putin has previously mentioned the possibility of arming Western enemies with Russian weapons to strike targets abroad and deploying conventional missiles within range of the United States and its European allies.
Putin’s warning carries additional weight given Russia’s status as the world’s largest nuclear power. The country is currently revising its nuclear doctrine, with influential foreign policy hawks pushing for changes that would explicitly state Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons against countries supporting “NATO aggression in Ukraine.”
The escalating rhetoric comes amid a series of significant developments. Russia is conducting major naval exercises with China, showcasing its military partnerships. Moscow is also considering curbs on major commodity exports, potentially impacting global markets. Meanwhile, the West has accused Russia of receiving ballistic missiles from Iran, claims that Tehran dismisses as “ugly propaganda.”
Putin frames the conflict as part of an existential battle against a declining West, which he accuses of humiliating Russia after the fall of the Berlin Wall by encroaching on Moscow’s sphere of influence, including Ukraine. In contrast, Western nations and Ukraine characterize the invasion as an imperial-style land grab and have pledged to defeat Russia militarily.
As the conflict approaches its second year, Russia controls over 18% of Ukrainian territory. The potential introduction of Western long-range missiles into the conflict represents a critical juncture, with Putin’s warnings highlighting the risk of further escalation and broader international involvement.
The international community now faces a delicate balancing act: supporting Ukraine’s defense while avoiding actions that could trigger a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. Putin’s latest statements underscore the high stakes involved in these decisions and the potential for rapid escalation in what is already Europe’s largest land war since World War II.
