Putin's 'Ukraine' message: 'It would mean the West is entering the war'

Russian President Vladimir Putin made statements regarding the current agenda on state television following the United Cultures Forum.

Putin evaluated the discussions in the US and the UK regarding whether to allow the use of long-range missiles sent to Ukraine by the West in attacks on Russian territory.

Putin stated, "What we are seeing here is an attempt to change the concepts. Because this is not a matter of whether or not to allow the Kiev regime to strike targets on Russian territory. 

Ukraine is already doing this using unmanned aerial vehicles and other means. However, the use of Western-made 'high-precision long-range weapons' is a completely different matter.

The reality is that the Ukrainian army does not have the capacity to use the state-of-the-art high-precision long-range systems provided by the West. They cannot do this. It is impossible to use these weapons without intelligence data obtained from satellites that Ukraine does not possess.

This can only be done using European Union satellites or US satellites (NATO satellites in general). This is the first point," he said.

Putin continued, "The second and key point is that only NATO military personnel can operate these missile systems. Ukrainian soldiers cannot do this. Therefore, the issue is not about whether or not to allow the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons. It is about NATO countries deciding whether or not to become directly involved in the military conflict.

If this decision is made, it will mean nothing other than direct participation in the war. This will mean that NATO countries, the US, and European countries are parties to the war in Ukraine. This will mean their direct involvement in the conflict, and it will significantly change the essence and nature of the conflict.

This will mean that NATO countries (the US and European countries) are at war with Russia. If this happens, then we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats posed to us," he said.

SEEKING PERMISSION

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking for months for permission for Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles, including long-range US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, in attacks on Russian territory.