Long-range arms OK would put NATO at 'war with Russia': Putin

By AFP - Sep 12,2024 - Last updated at Sep 12,2024

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at the X St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum in Saint Petersburg on September 12, 2024 (AFP photo)

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the West letting Kyiv use longer-range weapons to strike Russian targets would mean NATO would be "at war" with Russia.

Putin spoke as US and UK top diplomats discussed easing rules on firing Western weapons into Russia, which Kyiv has been pressing for, more than two and a half years into Moscow's offensive.

"This would in a significant way change the very nature of the conflict," Putin told a state television reporter.

"It would mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries, are at war with Russia," he added.

"If that's the case, then taking into account the change of nature of the conflict, we will take the appropriate decisions based on the threats that we will face."

Clearing Kyiv to strike deep into Russia "is a decision on whether NATO countries are directly involved in the military conflict or not".

Putin's comments came as Kyiv pressed the West to provide more powerful weapons with fewer restrictions, as Russia continues its advance into eastern Ukraine.

Rate