Moscow has issued a stark warning to the United States and its allies, stating that any use of long-range missiles by Kiev to strike deep inside Russian territory would signify the “direct participation” of the Western powers in the conflict.
Monday evening’s statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry comes amid unconfirmed reports that US President Joe Biden has authorized Kiev to use American-supplied ATACMS missiles to target sites inside Moscow’s pre-2014 borders.
Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the ministry, said any such move would “radically change the essence and nature of the conflict.”
On Sunday, the New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden had given Ukraine permission to use ATACMS missiles against Russian territory. However, the White House has made no official statements.
When asked about the reports on Monday, Zakharova noted that they have not been confirmed by Washington.
Zakharova further emphasized: “Kiev’s use of long-range missiles to attack our territory will mean the direct participation of the United States and its satellites in hostilities against Russia. In this case, Russia’s response will be adequate and tangible.”
Zakharova’s comments follow a report in The New York Times on Sunday that suggested Biden had greenlit Ukraine’s use of the long-range missiles to target Russian forces defending Kursk Region, allegedly alongside North Korean troops.
While the White House has neither confirmed nor denied the claim, the very possibility of such a policy shift has elicited a strong reaction from Moscow.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated President Vladimir Putin’s earlier warnings regarding Western nations potentially providing Ukraine with long-range weapons. In September, Putin stated that any move to arm Kiev with such capabilities would force Moscow to make “appropriate decisions based on the threats presented to us.”
He suggested that such actions would represent a shift in whether “NATO countries are directly involved in the military conflict.”
Zakharova underscored the gravity of the potential escalation, warning that Moscow would not stand idly by: “In this case, Russia’s response will be adequate and tangible.”
The Kremlin has consistently framed Western military aid to Ukraine as a threat to its national security, and Zakharova’s comments further emphasize Moscow’s stance on long-range weaponry. The situation remains tense, with some Western leaders openly admitting concerns about further escalations and the potential for direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Amid rising tensions, Moscow also noted uncertainty regarding the veracity of US policy changes. “It is not yet known whether these claims are based on official sources,” a statement outlined.