Putin warns NATO over Ukraine weapon use: Serious consequences ahead
2:52 PM EDT, May 28, 2024
For several days, there has been a debate over whether NATO countries should allow Ukraine to use donated weapons to attack military targets in Russia. Opinions are deeply divided. Recently, Vladimir Putin commented on the issue, describing it as "playing with fire." "Continuous escalation can lead to serious consequences," warned the Russian dictator.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg publicly stated that alliance members should permit Ukraine to use weapons from allies to attack military targets in Russia. His statements ignited the discussion.
Vladimir Putin asserted that NATO members in Europe are "playing with fire" by suggesting that Ukraine be allowed to use Western weapons to strike deep into Russia.
"Continuous escalation can lead to serious consequences," threatened the Russian dictator in a conversation with journalists in Uzbekistan. "It's hard to say—do they want a global conflict?" he added.
"The West would have to be directly involved"
Putin maintained that Ukrainian attacks using long-range weapons would require assistance from Western satellites, intelligence, and military support. "Therefore, the West would have to be directly involved in such attacks," he said.
He further warned that smaller territorial countries considering "deeper involvement" should understand the risks they are taking because of their limited land area and dense population.
"The right to self-defense includes the right to strike legitimate military targets outside Ukraine. That’s part of self-defense. And we see this very clearly demonstrated now in the fighting in Kharkiv. Because they are actually Russian forces on Russian territory, attacking just over the border," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg stated during three days of discussions in Sofia.
Source: Reuters, WP Wiadomości
