Russia threatens nuclear retaliation over Western missiles in Ukraine

- Russia will be ready to use the most powerful and destructive weapons in the event of attacks on Russian Federation territory with Western long-range weapons, said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma. Earlier, the USA confirmed that talks on this subject were ongoing.

Many of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the informational war conducted by the Russian Federation.

- By appealing to the United States, Germany, France, and England for supplies of long-range weapons, missiles, and other equipment, and discussing with them the matter of conducting strikes on Russian territory, Zelensky is making these countries direct participants in the armed conflict in Ukraine, stated Volodin.

The Kremlin is once again reaching for the "nuclear deterrent." - All of this will lead to our country being forced to respond by using more powerful and destructive weapons to protect its citizens, stated the chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "the American authorities have already decided to lift restrictions on the use of ATACMS missiles for attacks on Russian territory."

- Most likely, all these decisions have already been made. This assumption can be made with high probability. At the moment, a media campaign is being conducted to formalize the already made decision, said Peskov, quoted by the Interfax agency.

He added that Russia will provide a "proper" response if the United States grants Ukraine permission to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons. Peskov claims that all such decisions made by Western countries are "further confirmation of the validity of the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

- Without the help of the United States, Ukraine will not be able to win the war against Russia; we expect Washington to allow us to use American weaponry to attack targets deep in Russia, said Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday afternoon.

The President of Ukraine added that he is optimistic about granting permission to use long-range weapons, but "this decision does not depend on my optimism." - It depends on their optimism. This is very important to us now. In any case, I expect dialogue with President (of the United States Joe) Biden this month, emphasized Zelensky.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the US authorities are discussing the use of Western missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. According to them, the possibility of using ATACMS missiles will allow Ukraine to adequately respond to the delivery of over 200 ballistic missiles to Russia by Iran.

The United Kingdom and France also support the unrestricted use of long-range missiles, having supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles capable of flying 155 miles.

A source in the British government told The Telegraph that some US administration officials "have changed their minds in favor of granting Ukraine permission, but supporters of this move have not yet convinced Biden and other skeptics."

The British government believes, however, that this will happen before the United Nations General Assembly session, where world leaders will gather in New York on September 22, writes "The Times." Along with ATACMS, Ukraine will be able to utilize Storm Shadow.

The State Department advocates for the complete lifting of the ban, while the Pentagon and intelligence remain cautious, fearing an escalation of the conflict and the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia, writes "Financial Times."

- ATACMS will not help Ukraine much because Russia has moved 90% of its bombing missions to airfields out of missile range, said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last week. However, CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Director Richard Moore said at the weekend's FT conference that Putin's nuclear threats should not be underestimated, but the West should not be overly afraid. - Putin is bullish and will continue to saber-rattle from time to time, said Burns.