Index – Abroad – Russia’s war in Ukraine – Index’s Thursday news summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western countries that they are taking a “very serious and dangerous step” by supplying weapons to Ukraine. According to the head of the Kremlin, this could result in Moscow arming the enemies of these countries, reports CNN.

As is well known, Ukraine has relied heavily on weapons supplied by Western allies to repel Russian forces since Putin’s full-scale invasion more than two years ago. Last week, however, US President Joe Biden gave Kiev permission for the first time to use US military equipment against targets in Russia. This came after several European nations lifted restrictions on the use of weapons they carried.

Arming a conflict zone is always a bad thing. Especially when it comes to the fact that those who carry them not only carry weapons, but also handle them

Putin said at the annual economic forum in St. Petersburg.

Putin also warned that Russia could retaliate if Western countries were perceived to be directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

“If we see that these countries are going to war against us, and what they are doing is directly going to war with the Russian Federation, then we reserve the right to do the same,” he stressed. He then asked why Russia should not have the right to send weapons of the same class to those regions of the world that could strike at countries that do the same to Russia?

A nuclear strike is not out of the question, but it is “total nonsense” that they would attack NATO

According to the BBC, the Russian president also spoke about the fact that the West is wrong when it assumes that Moscow would never use nuclear weapons.

For some reason, the West believes that Russia will never use them. We have a nuclear doctrine, look what’s in it! If someone’s actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all the means at our disposal. This should not be taken lightly or treated superficially

said the Russian president.

In the end, Vladimir Putin also denied that Russia was planning to attack NATO. “Russia should not be set up as an enemy. They’re only hurting themselves, you know? They think Russia wants to attack NATO.”

Are they completely insane? […] Who invented this? It’s a complete impossibility, you know? Total nonsense

Putin said.