Russia Issues Warning After Biden Crosses Putin's Red Line: 'A Qualitatively New Situation'
Russia is reacting with outrage over the Biden administration’s choice to permit Ukraine the use of longer-range weapons, escalating concerns over potential strikes on Russian soil.
“This decision is reckless, dangerous, aimed at a qualitative change, a qualitative increase in the level of involvement of the United States in this conflict,” stated Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin representative, as reported by Reuters.
“It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps to continue adding fuel to the fire and continue to provoke tension around this conflict,” he added, according to NBC.
“If such a decision was really formulated and communicated to the Kyiv regime, then, of course, this is a qualitatively new round of tension and a qualitatively new situation from the point of view of the US involvement in this conflict,” he emphasized.
The New York Times reported that Russia’s deployment of North Korean forces contributed to this development. The publication noted that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops are assembled to target the Kursk region of Russia, which Ukraine has controlled since the summer.
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), with a range of roughly 190 miles, is set to enable Ukraine to reach strategic targets previously out of its reach.
With the extended range of 190 miles, these missiles could empower Ukraine to strike military installations, including supply hubs, munitions depots, and garrisons, which are currently beyond its artillery and shorter-range rocket capabilities.
NBC highlighted that in September, Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned that providing Ukraine with such weaponry was equivalent to a NATO assault on Russia. “The issue is not about allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. The issue is about making a decision: NATO countries directly participate in the military conflict or not. If this decision is made, it will mean nothing other than the direct participation of NATO countries — the United States, European countries — in the war in Ukraine,” Putin declared.
The Institute for the Study of War weighed in, suggesting that the new weapons access may not alter Ukraine’s challenging battlefield conditions significantly.
“The partial lifting of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western-provided long-range weapons against military objects within Kursk Oblast will not completely deprive Russian forces of their sanctuary in Russian territory, as hundreds of military objects remain within ATACMS range in other Russian border regions,” the institute noted.
They further stated that “Russian forces will benefit from any partial sanctuary if Western states continue to impose restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and that the US should allow Ukraine to strike all legitimate military targets within Russia’s operational and deep-rear within range of US-provided weapons – not just those in Kursk Oblast.”
The U.S. move might influence other nations’ policies on granting Ukraine more freedom in weapon use, although it remains uncertain.
“I’ve been saying once and again that Ukraine should be able to use the arms we provided to them, in order to not only to stop the arrow, but also to be able to hit the archers. I continue to believe this is what has to be done. And I’m sure will be discussed once again. I hope members will agree on that,” said Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, ahead of a meeting with EU foreign ministers.
“This change could mark a paradigm shift in the war,” said Tytti Tuppurainen, a Finnish parliament member.
“If it is true … I think we welcome that, we welcome that full-heartedly. If it is one thing we regret, it is that it comes so late,” she remarked.
“Europe has to stand up now. This is a critical moment. This is certainly a wake-up call for Europe. From the U.S. side, the election of Donald Trump tells us that we have to take the responsibility of our own destiny, and if Russia wins in Ukraine, it means that Russia will only continue,” she warned.
Putin had underscored Russia’s position during a September address in St. Petersburg.
Speaking on Sept. 12, Putin made it clear that Western authorization for these actions would constitute “the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine” because NATO infrastructure and personnel would be integral to the missile operations.