Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that he will consider various responses if the West permits Ukraine to deploy long-range weapons.
In an interview with state television on Sunday, Putin remarked, “Although Western countries have not told me anything regarding this matter, (if they allow the use of such weapons) we will certainly have to make certain decisions.”
He added that Ukraine would likely need NATO personnel to operate such sophisticated equipment, as the Ukrainian military may lack the capability to do so independently.
Ukraine has been requesting authorization to use Western long-range missiles, including the U.S. ATACMS and the UK’s Storm Shadow, to target mainland Russia. Both the U.S. and the UK have approached the situation cautiously, considering various factors, such as the potential for escalation.
Given the recent confirmation of North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia, there is a possibility that renewed discussions regarding Western security support for Ukraine may gain traction.
In a related development, U.S. Republican Mike Turner, Chairman of the Intelligence Committee from Ohio, recently called on President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to respond with U.S.-provided weapons if North Korean forces launch attacks from Russian territory.
