Putin warns West against direct involvement in Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that by providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, Western countries risk involving directly in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In such circumstances, Russia would be forced to make “appropriate decisions” based on the new threats, Putin said.

Ukraine has been pleading with its Western allies for it to use their missiles, including long-range ones, to fire deep into Russian territory, according to Western media reports.

“In fact, only service people from NATO countries can make flight assignments to these missile systems.

“Ukrainian service people cannot do that,” Putin said.

“So this is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to attack Russia with these weapons or not.

“It is a question of deciding whether NATO countries are directly involved in a military conflict or not.

“If this decision is taken, it will mean nothing else than direct participation of NATO countries, the U.S. and European countries in the war in Ukraine,” he said.

According to local media reports, the White House is finalising a plan to ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-donated weapons in battles against Russia.

The plan includes the use of British long-range missiles that contain American parts to strike targets inside Russia. (Xinhua/NAN)