Russia has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning that allowing Ukraine to launch Western missile strikes into Russian territory could significantly escalate the conflict.
President Vladimir Putin vowed that Russia would respond worthy to such an attack.
The warning comes as Ukraine is urging Western arms donors to permit the use of their weapons for long-range strikes deep inside Russia.
However, Russia cautioned the US and other Western nations that such actions could have severe and far-reaching consequences, potentially spreading the conflict beyond Europe’s borders.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of seeking to escalate the Ukraine war, stating that they are “asking for trouble” by considering Ukrainian requests to loosen curbs on using foreign-supplied weapons. Lavrov criticized the American mentality, saying:
Lavrov said, “The American mentality is that of a master, who sits on the other coast convinced of his safety and that others will do the dirty work for him. He expects others to die for him, not just Ukrainians, but also Europeans, it appears.”
Lavrov further emphasized the dangers of escalating the conflict, saying: “We are now confirming once again that playing with fire – and they are like small children playing with matches – is a very dangerous thing for grown-up uncles and aunts who are entrusted with nuclear weapons in one or another Western country.”
Russia stressed the need for restraint and diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation, urging all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution.
