Russia warns US is adding fuel to fire with long-range missile decision

The Kremlin has balked at the White House’s decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range US-made weapons for limited strikes inside Russian territory.

That decision is NBC News reportedThis marks a major shift in Washington policy just two months before the end of the term of President Joe Biden, who has led US involvement in the Ukraine conflict since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. It is something.

Until now, the Biden administration had limited the deployment of U.S.-made long-range weapons to battlefields in Ukraine, but Kyiv used U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in cross-border attacks to defend Ukraine. He gave the go-ahead to do so.

The latest approvals are: North Korean military deployment Together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he supports Russia, where the conflict is at a standstill. qualified as Russia’s “one of the largest attacks” against its country over the weekend.

“It is clear that the outgoing Washington administration intends to take steps that will continue to add fuel to the fire and provoke tensions over this conflict,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said early Monday, according to Reuters. Ta.

“If such a decision was actually drawn up and communicated to the Kiev regime, then, of course, this is a qualitatively new round of tensions and a qualitatively new round in terms of US involvement in this conflict. “This will be a situation of great concern,” he added. with Google Translate comment This was reported by Russian state news agency Ria Novosti.

Ukraine relies on its Western allies for military and humanitarian aid, including the provision of weapons, but amid fears of further escalation of the war and Russian retaliation, NATO members are providing weapons primarily for defensive purposes on Ukrainian soil. is provided. On September 12, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin told journalists on behalf of NATO members that a potential decision at the time to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets on Russian territory , warned that it was tantamount to direct participation in war.

“The question is not whether the Ukrainian regime will allow these weapons to attack Russia. The question is whether NATO countries will decide whether to directly participate in a military conflict. If this decision is taken, it will only mean the following: “the direct participation of NATO countries, that is, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine,” Putin said at the time. According to Russian state news agency TASS.

But analysts at the Institute for the Study of War warn that Washington’s limited powers may prove insufficient to substantively change the course on the battlefield.

“The partial lifting of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western-provided long-range weapons against military objects within the Kursk Oblast is a significant step forward as hundreds of military objects remain within ATACMS range in other Russian border areas. It will not completely take away the sanctuary within the territory.” they said in the memosee U.S. Long Range Army Tactical Missile System.

Furthermore, “If the West continues to impose limits on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, the Russian military will benefit from partial sanctuary, and the United States will It should be able to attack all legitimate military targets in the rear.” Provided weapons, not only those of the Kursk region. ”

“The only way to truly stop this terrorism is to eliminate Russia’s offensive capabilities, and this is absolutely realistic,” President Zelenskiy said. he said on social media on Monday.without directly addressing reports about the U.S. permit. “It’s not just defense. It’s justice, it’s the right way to protect your people. A country under attack will act like this to protect its people. We will do the same with our partners. We must leave nothing behind in Russia’s capabilities against terrorism. ”

It remains to be seen whether European countries will follow the US lawsuit over Kiev’s use of weapons. France, a major Western ally, supports Kiev’s right to self-defense, which diplomatic sources say is not limited to Ukrainian territory, but also targets Russian targets directly involved in operations against Ukraine. It gives the country the right to neutralize it.

In the run-up to the G20 summit in November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need to double aid to Ukraine, without mentioning the use of weapons. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock said on Monday that the reported US decision was not a change in thinking but a “strengthening” of existing policy, and also referred to Ukraine’s right to self-defense.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday for talks that also touch on the Ukraine conflict.

“I have said many times that Ukraine should be able to use the weapons we provide, not only to stop the arrows, but also to hit the shooters. I continue to believe that it will definitely be discussed again,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said before the meeting.

Such decisions cast doubt on Ukraine’s current long-range missile forces to support direct strikes, as NATO prepares for the return of US President-elect Donald Trump to the White House, who previously promised to end the war in Ukraine. . within days of taking power, without giving details.

Nevertheless, U.S. authorization “could signal a paradigm shift in warfare,” Finnish lawmaker Titti Tupplainen told CNBC’s Sylvia Amaro on Monday.

“If that’s true…I think we’ll welcome it, and we’ll welcome it wholeheartedly. If there’s one thing we regret, it’s that it came too late,” she said. added. “Europe has to stand up now. This is a critical moment. This is certainly a wake-up call for Europe. From the US side, the election of Donald Trump is a sign that we have taken responsibility for our own destiny. “If Russia wins in Ukraine, that means it will only continue.”

— CNBC’s Sophie Kiderlin contributed to this report.