Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Russia may offer long-range weapons to other countries to target Western interests in response to NATO allies permitting Ukraine to use Western weapons to attack Russian territory.
Putin reiterated that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons if Moscow perceives its sovereignty to be under threat.
Speaking to international journalists, he said that recent actions by the West will further undermine international security and could lead to “very serious issues.”
“This would indicate that they have directly engaged in a war against the Russian Federation, and we reserve the right to respond in the same manner,” Putin said.
During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin questioned why Russia wouldn’t have the right to provide similar weapons to certain regions in the world to target sensitive facilities in those countries if they believe these weapons could be transported to the conflict zone to strike their territory and cause trouble.
“We will consider this issue,” he said.
Recently, the U.S. and Germany authorized Ukraine to use provided long-range weapons to target some objectives within Russian territory.
Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed President Biden’s approval for Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to defend the second-largest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv, against Russian targets.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also supported Blinken’s statement, rebutting Russia’s warning that allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to attack Russian territory could lead to an escalation.
Stoltenberg, speaking during a gap in the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, stated that NATO has heard similar warnings before, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine in defending its rights is not escalating the conflict, and that Russia escalates situations by invading another country.
“Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and we have the right to help Ukraine defend itself, but that does not mean NATO allies become parties to the conflict,” Stoltenberg added.
When asked if Russia would resort to nuclear weapons, Putin stated that Moscow’s security doctrine clearly outlines the conditions for using nuclear weapons.
“For some reason, Western countries believe that Russia will never use nuclear weapons,” Putin said.
“Look at what is written there,” he said when discussing Russia’s nuclear doctrine, “If someone threatens our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we believe that we have the right to use all the means at our disposal.”
Putin, who spoke with international media for over three hours, also stated that regardless of whether Biden or Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November, there will be no change in U.S.-Russia relations.
“We will work with the U.S. president elected by the American people,” Putin said.
He added, “Honestly, I do not believe that the position of Russia in U.S. politics will change after the U.S. election. We don’t think so. We don’t think that anything so serious will happen.”
Putin also expressed his belief that Trump’s recent conviction in the hush money trial was a result of “using the judicial system as part of internal political struggle.”
During the interview, Putin discussed various issues, but the conflict in Ukraine dominated the main content of the meeting.
Putin stated that Western countries have the opportunity to end the conflict in Ukraine, but have not taken action, citing a letter reportedly sent by him to Biden stating that if Washington stops supplying weapons to Kyiv, hostilities could end within two to three months.
Regarding Russia’s military losses, Putin mentioned that no country reveals such information during hostilities. However, without providing details, he claimed that Ukraine’s casualty numbers are five times greater than Russia’s.
He also mentioned that over 1,300 Russian soldiers have been captured by Ukraine, while more than 6,400 Ukrainian soldiers are detained in Russia.
These claims cannot be independently verified, with some Western countries estimating that Russia’s losses are much higher compared to Ukraine.
Regarding the case of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Putin said the U.S. is taking “strong measures” to ensure his release.
Over a year ago, Gershkovich was detained during an interview and accused of espionage. Both the reporter, his employer, and the U.S. government have denied these allegations, with Washington stating that his detention was a mistake.
Putin stated that the release is not decided through mass media but through a “careful, calm, and professional” manner.
He also noted that the decision can only be made on an equal basis, hinting at the possibility of a prisoner exchange with the U.S.
(Adapted from related reports from the Associated Press)