Putin warns NATO will be 'at war' with Moscow if Ukraine fires long-range missiles at Russia

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if the West allows Ukraine to use Western-made long-range missiles against Russia, it would amount to direct NATO involvement in the conflict. He stated that such a move would significantly escalate the war, implying a direct fight with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Kstarma is in Washington for discussions, as the US and UK consider responding to alleged Iranian missile supplies to Russia, which they view as a dramatic escalation. The situation is delicately poised, with the West weighing its next steps carefully.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Vladimir Putin has made his most hawkish comments to date regarding the conflict in Ukraine, warning of direct NATO involvement if Ukraine is allowed to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles.
• 🗣️ Putin stated that such a decision would signify the direct participation of NATO countries, including the US and European nations, in the war, effectively meaning they would be at war with Russia.
• 🛑 Putin did not specify what 'appropriate decisions' Russia would take in response to NATO countries directly participating in the conflict but indicated they would be in line with the threats faced.
• 🤝 Ukrainian Prime Minister Kstarma is scheduled to meet with US President Biden to discuss the situation, suggesting a potential decision on providing Ukraine with long-range missiles is imminent.
• 🌎 The West is closely monitoring Putin's comments and is expected to discuss the implications of arming Ukraine with long-range capabilities during the upcoming Biden-Kstarma meeting.
• 📈 The US and UK believe the battlefield dynamics have changed due to Iran allegedly supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, which they view as a significant escalation prompting consideration of a response.
• 🧐 US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken emphasized the need for a coherent strategy and the ability to maintain and use any advanced weapon systems provided to Ukraine, indicating a cautious approach to military aid.
• ⚖️ The situation is delicately poised, with the potential for Russia's wrath if the West proceeds with arming Ukraine, raising questions about Russia's possible retaliatory measures.
• ⏳ The West is weighing the risks and benefits of providing Ukraine with long-range missiles, with the understanding that such a move could escalate the conflict and provoke a strong reaction from Russia.
• 💡 The script highlights the complexity of the decision-making process for the West, as it considers not only the immediate military advantage but also the long-term strategic implications and potential for escalating the war.

Q & A

What did Vladimir Putin say regarding the conflict in Ukraine and the potential use of Western-made long-range missiles by Ukraine?

Vladimir Putin warned that if Ukraine were allowed to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, it would amount to the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries in the war, effectively meaning that they would be at war with Russia.

How did Putin describe the potential escalation if the West supports Ukraine with long-range missiles?

Putin characterized it as a significant change in the nature of the conflict, indicating that Russia would be compelled to take appropriate decisions in response to the threats they are facing.

What was the context of Putin's comments as reported in the transcript?

The comments were made as Ukrainian Prime Minister Kstarma was flying to Washington to discuss the conflict with the U.S. president, suggesting a heightened level of international engagement and concern.

What was the reporter's assessment of Putin's comments on the situation?

The reporter, Iva Bennett, suggested that Putin's comments were more than mere rhetoric, indicating a personal investment and a red line that, if crossed, could lead to a direct confrontation with the West.

What was the specific concern raised by Putin about Western support to Ukraine?

Putin was concerned that Western support would not only include the provision of weapons but also satellite communications for identifying targets and operational support, which he claimed would constitute active participation by NATO in any long-range strikes.

What was the immediate reaction from the West to Putin's comments?

The transcript does not provide an immediate reaction, but it is suggested that Western leaders, including President Biden and Prime Minister Kstarma, would be closely monitoring the situation and discussing it further.

What is the rationale behind the West's consideration to provide Ukraine with more advanced weaponry?

The West is considering a response due to claims that Iran has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, which the U.S. and UK view as a dramatic escalation, necessitating a potential change in their support strategy.

What factors does the U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, suggest are considered when deciding on military aid to Ukraine?

Blinken mentioned that decisions on military aid involve considerations of whether Ukraine knows how to use the systems, their ability to maintain the equipment, and whether the aid aligns with a coherent strategy to achieve clear objectives.

What was the U.S.'s stance on not ruling out certain types of military support to Ukraine as per Anthony Blinken's statement?

Blinken indicated that while they do not rule out any form of support, when they decide to provide aid, they ensure it is done in a way that advances Ukraine's objectives.

What is the potential risk if the West decides to arm Ukraine with long-range missiles, according to the transcript?

The risk includes provoking Russia's wrath, possibly leading to Russia following through on threats to arm the West's enemies or even resorting to nuclear threats, thus escalating the conflict significantly.

How is the situation described in terms of its current state of tension?

The situation is described as delicately poised, indicating a high level of tension and the potential for rapid escalation if certain actions are taken by either side.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Putin's Hawkish Stance on Western Support to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if the West allows Ukraine to use Western-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, it would be tantamount to the direct involvement of NATO countries in the war against Russia. Putin's comments were his most aggressive to date on the topic, indicating a personal and significant red line. He suggested that the West's provision of weapons, satellite communications for targeting, and operational support would constitute active participation in any long-range strikes, which would force Russia to respond with appropriate decisions, the nature of which were not specified. This statement comes as Ukrainian Prime Minister Kstarma is set to meet with US President Biden to discuss the conflict. The West is closely monitoring the situation, aware of the potential for an angry response from Russia, and is considering its next steps carefully. The US and UK have noted a change in the battlefield dynamics, citing Iran's alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, which they view as a dramatic escalation prompting a potential response. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has previously outlined the considerations for providing weapon systems, including training, maintenance, and strategic coherence. The situation remains delicately poised as the West weighs its options and anticipates Russia's reactions.

Keywords

💡Hawkish

Hawkish refers to a person or policy that favors the use of aggressive military force or intervention. In the context of the video, Vladimir Putin's 'hawkish comments' suggest a more assertive and potentially confrontational stance towards the West, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine. His comments indicate a readiness to escalate the situation if the West provides Ukraine with long-range missiles, which he views as a direct involvement in the conflict.

💡Long-range missiles

Long-range missiles are military weapons capable of being fired from a distance and reaching targets far away. The script discusses the potential for the West to supply Ukraine with these missiles, which could significantly escalate the conflict. Putin warns that such a move would be seen as a direct involvement of NATO countries in the war, changing the nature of the conflict.

💡Direct involvement

Direct involvement implies a more active and engaged role in a situation, often implying a commitment of resources or forces. In the video, Putin warns that if NATO countries provide Ukraine with the capability to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, it would constitute their direct involvement in the war, which would be a significant escalation.

💡NATO countries

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance between North American and European countries. The script mentions that Putin views the potential supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine as a sign of direct participation by NATO countries in the conflict, which would be a considerable change in the dynamics of the war.

💡Ukraine

Ukraine is the central focus of the conflict discussed in the video. It is the country currently engaged in a war with Russia, and the script discusses the potential ramifications if Ukraine were to receive long-range missile support from the West, which could lead to a broader conflict involving NATO countries.

💡Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia, and his comments and decisions significantly influence the situation in Ukraine. The video script highlights his hawkish stance and the potential consequences of his statements, particularly regarding the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine.

💡Red line

A 'red line' is a metaphor for a limit or boundary that, if crossed, would lead to a significant response or change in behavior. In the context of the video, Putin's comments suggest that supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles would cross a red line, prompting a strong reaction from Russia.

💡Appropriate decisions

This phrase is used by Putin to indicate that Russia would take unspecified but significant actions in response to perceived threats. The video suggests that these 'appropriate decisions' could include military responses, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the potential for escalation.

💡President Biden

President Biden is the President of the United States and plays a key role in determining the U.S.'s response to the conflict in Ukraine. The video script mentions an upcoming meeting between Biden and the Prime Minister of an unspecified country, indicating the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation.

💡Strategic considerations

Strategic considerations refer to the evaluation of long-term plans and objectives in relation to a specific goal or situation. In the video, the U.S. Secretary of State's comments about weapon systems for Ukraine highlight the need to consider not just the provision of weapons but also the training, maintenance, and strategic coherence with Ukraine's objectives.

Highlights

Vladimir Putin made his most hawkish comments to date regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin warned that if Ukraine is allowed to strike Russian territory with Western-made missiles, it would be considered direct involvement of NATO countries in the war.

The Russian president indicated that such a decision would significantly change the nature of the conflict.

Putin stated that NATO countries, the US, and European countries would be at war with Russia if they greenlight long-range strikes from Ukraine.

He emphasized that Russia would take appropriate decisions in response to such threats.

Prime Minister Kstarma is set to discuss the issue with the US president in Washington.

The West's potential provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine is seen as a personal red line for Putin.

Putin's comments suggest that the West's involvement would not be limited to weapons but also include satellite communications and operational support.

The US and UK claim that Iran has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, leading to a dramatic escalation on the battlefield.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken outlined the considerations for providing weapon systems to Ukraine, including training, maintenance, and strategic coherence.

Blinken indicated that the US would continue to adapt and adjust its support for Ukraine.

The potential Western response to Russia's warnings will be closely watched, especially after the meeting between Biden and Kstarma.

The situation is delicately poised, with the risk of Russia's wrath if the West proceeds with arming Ukraine.

Putin's past threats about arming the West's enemies and nuclear threats are part of the considerations in the current geopolitical climate.

The West is weighing the potential consequences of its actions in the context of Russia's strong warnings.

Transcripts

now we've been focusing on the war in

Ukraine this week and today the Russian

president made his most hawkish comments

yet about the conflict Vladimir Putin

said the West would be fighting with

Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike

Russian territory with Western made long

range

missiles if this decision is taken it

remain nothing less than the direct

involvement of NATO countries the United

States and European countries in the war

in Ukraine this will be their direct

participation and this of course will

significantly change the very essence

the very nature of the conflict this

will mean that NATO countries the US and

European countries are at war with

Russia and if this is so meaning the

essence of the conflict changed we will

take the respective decisions

corresponding to the threats we are

facing well he made those comments as

prime minister K starma flew to to

Washington to discuss the issue with the

US

presidents our Moscow correspondent Iva

Bennett is in the Russian Capital

tonight good to see you Iva is this very

significant or is it all

rhetoric that's always the question

isn't it with Vladimir Putin I think

it's certainly fair to say that these

are his most hawkish comments to date on

this topic and that's really saying

something because whenever he brings it

up it provokes a very angry response

indeed it's not just his words that are

angry but but also his Expressions his

mannerisms it really feels like it's

personal to him and a and a red line if

the West does give Ukraine this

permission to use longrange missiles

deeper inside Russia which is why I

think this is actually more than just

rhetoric the key line tonight was uh

that the West would be in a direct fight

with Russia if they give this green

light to KI um and his reasoning is that

it wouldn't just be the weapons and

permission the West would be supplying

to Ukraine it would also be the

satellite um Comm Communications to to

identify targets it would be the

operational aspect around the weapons

that's his claim and hence why he says

that NATO would be actively

participating in any long range strikes

um and if that happens he said that

Russia would be forced to take

appropriate decisions he didn't spell

out however what those would be uh

President Biden and sakama meeting in

the next few hours uh what do you think

the response from them and indeed the

West will

be well they're going to be watching

this very very closely of course And

discussing it tomorrow I think um they

they knew they would be an angry

response for sure from Vladimir Putin I

think that's what why they've kind of

held back until now and not taken the

plunge and and given permission they've

been waiting to see what Vladimir Putin

would say and wearing things up um how

we've got to this point is because

according to the US and the UK that the

equation has changed on the battlefield

they claim that Iran has supplied Russia

with ballistic missiles to use on the

battlefield they've called it a dramatic

escalation which is why they're

considering a response and I think it's

just worth reminding our our viewers

what US Secretary of State Anthony

blinken told this program earlier this

week it's not simply saying oh should

they have this weapon system or that

weapon system there are a lot of things

that go into it do they know how to use

it and some of these sophisticated

systems take training and that's one of

the other things we've done can they

maintain it because if you give them

something that falls apart in 7 days

because it can't be maintained that

doesn't do a lot of it and then is it

part of a coherent strategy to achieve a

very clear objective all of those things

have to go into these decisions but what

I can tell you is we've adapted and

adjusted every step along the way we'll

continue to do that so not ruling out at

this stage we we don't we never rule out

but when we when we rule in we want to

make sure it's it's it's done in such a

way that it can advance what the

ukrainians are trying to achieve

so will the West Risk Russia's wrath I

think tomorrow Joe Biden K summer will

be wearing up what Russia's response

will be what those appropriate decision

will will be will Vladimir Putin follow

through on that previous threat he's

made um about arming the West's enemies

to strike Western targets abroad will he

follow through on any of those numerous

nuclear threats the bottom line is

things are very delicately poised indeed