Putin warns the West not to allow Ukraine to target Russia with long-range weapons

SUMMARY

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to the U.S. and its allies, declaring that if they lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-made long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, it would bring the West into direct conflict with Russia. Putin stressed that such actions would dramatically alter the conflict's dynamics, stating, “This will mean that NATO countries, the U.S., and European countries are at war with Russia.” The warning comes just before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with President Joe Biden in Washington to discuss escalating support for Ukraine. Starmer's visit coincides with ongoing tensions, including the expulsion of six British diplomats from Moscow, which the U.K. dismissed as baseless accusations of espionage.