Kremlin issues serious warnings of nuclear threats as Biden weighs supporting Ukrainian strikes inside Russia.
At a Glance
- Putin cautions that Russia would be “at war” with the U.S. and allies if Ukraine uses long-range Western weapons.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pushes for Biden’s authorization of strikes.
- Biden reaffirms support for Ukraine but looks to avoid U.S. direct conflict with Russia.
- The Pentagon is skeptical about the effectiveness of such strikes.
Kremlin’s Stern Warning
The Kremlin has vocally raised alarms over the nuclear hazards tied to the Biden administration’s consideration of permitting Ukrainian forces to utilize U.S.-provided long-range missiles against Russian territory. Russian Ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, stressed that aggressive actions could push toward a nuclear crisis, affecting even the American homeland. The White House has not made a final decision, but deliberations continue amid rising tensions.
President Vladimir Putin warned, during a recent statement, that Russia would be “at war” with the United States and its allies if Western restrictions on Ukrainian use of long-range missiles are lifted. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been particularly vocal, pressing President Biden for an official green light during their talks at the White House. The UK and Canada have shown robust support for potential Ukrainian military operations inside Russian borders.
Will Allowing Ukraine Strike into Russia with Western weapons cause a NATO confrontation?
Short answer is no.
And the hyperventilating by Putin rattling the nuclear sabers in response is overblown.
Bottom line: The weapons from the West (e.g. HIMARS/ATACMs and Ghost Shadow… pic.twitter.com/Z1n7rJlUmK
— Brent D. Sadler (@brentdsadler) September 13, 2024
International Dynamics and Reactions
In response to rising tensions, Russia’s FSB recently expelled six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage—a charge the UK has dismissed as “baseless.” President Biden, reaffirming U.S. loyalty, stated that “Putin will not prevail in this war,” demonstrating an unwavering commitment to support the UK and Ukraine against Russian aggression. Despite this, Pentagon officials question whether such long-range strikes would significantly alter the strategic landscape in eastern Ukraine, where Russian advances persist.
The Kremlin has framed the Ukraine conflict as a broader struggle against the West and NATO since the invasion began in February 2022. This narrative has only intensified with calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to target critical infrastructure within Russia using Western-supplied long-range weapons. Both sides are clearly positioning themselves for a significant escalation, contingent on any potential policy adjustments made by the U.S. and its allies.
https://twitter.com/kofmanmichael%3Flang%3Den
Strategic and Tactical Concerns
While President Biden supports Ukraine’s aspirations, he aims to avoid a direct conflict between the U.S. and Russia. Nonetheless, the Kremlin believes that the U.S. has tacitly authorized Ukraine to use long-range rockets to strike Russian targets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested that recent media reports are part of an information campaign to formalize existing decisions.
“Each new step increases the degree of this involvement,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Polish leaders have downplayed Russia’s threats, indicating they stem from challenges faced by Russian forces on the battlefield. However, other NATO countries worry that easing restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons could escalate the conflict further, possibly drawing NATO into direct confrontation with a nuclear power like Russia.
