Putin draws new red line on long-range missiles

Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn a fresh red line in the ongoing war with Ukraine, making it clear that any use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory would be seen as direct NATO involvement in the conflict.

The dramatic statement, which captured headlines across Russian media, signals a new level of tension in the war as Putin hints at severe consequences for what he describes as crossing the line.

Speaking in St. Petersburg, Putin said such a scenario “would substantially change the very essence, the nature of the conflict,” warning that it would mean “NATO countries, the USA, and European states are fighting with Russia.” He further claimed that Ukraine would rely on Western satellites and NATO personnel to launch missiles into Russian territory, further escalating the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the West.

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Putin’s remarks come after a series of military aid packages from Western nations, including advanced missile systems and American F-16 fighter jets, were delivered to Ukraine, despite previous warnings from Moscow. In the past two years, Russia has repeatedly accused the West of engaging in a proxy war, though it was Russia that initiated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now, Putin’s latest statement underscores his perception that missile strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory could push the conflict to a point of no return.

What remains unclear is how Russia would respond if its red line is crossed. “We will take corresponding decisions based on the threats to us that will be created,” Putin said, offering little detail. However, in a June meeting with international media, he hinted that Russia might consider supplying weapons to adversaries of the West to target “sensitive facilities” in response to Western arms being used against Russian territory. Such a move would open a dangerous new front in the global arms race, where Moscow could support Western adversaries to strike back.

Western leaders now face a critical decision: whether to heed Putin’s warning and limit Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles or to continue providing Kyiv with the means to defend itself, even at the risk of further escalation. British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, currently in Washington for talks with President Biden, echoed the West’s position on the matter: “Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict straight away.”

As the war grinds on, the international community must grapple with the dual threats of further escalation and the ongoing need to support Ukraine’s defense efforts. For Putin, the targeting of Russian territory with Western missiles is more than a military threat—it’s a challenge to Russia’s sovereignty and his leadership, raising the stakes in a conflict that shows no signs of resolution.