After days of mounting rumors and controversies in the West, Vladimir Putin has issued a stern response to the hypothesis of NATO-supplied missiles being used by Kiev to launch deep strikes into Russian territory. Putin warned of serious consequences, emphasizing that if such long-range launchers like the American Atacms are used, Moscow would hold NATO directly responsible for the attacks. He argued that such operations could not be carried out without the satellite intelligence data provided by NATO technicians.
Speaking at a press conference in Tashkent, at the end of a visit to Uzbekistan, Putin directed his criticism towards NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg, on Saturday, had suggested that Ukraine should be allowed to use Western armaments against Russia. This sentiment was echoed by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, and supported in part by French President Emmanuel Macron. Putin expressed his confusion over Stoltenberg’s stance, reminiscing that during his tenure as Norway's prime minister, Stoltenberg did not show signs of dementia and must be aware of the implications of using Atacms against Russian territory, which would necessitate a direct role for NATO technicians and entail severe consequences.
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the 'supreme commander,' referring to Putin, alongside military leaders, is preparing adequate countermeasures. The exact nature of these measures remains undisclosed but suggests a potential escalation towards a direct conflict with NATO. Putin specifically warned smaller European countries with high population densities, hinting at the Baltic states, that they would face devastating consequences if they continued to support aggressive actions against Russia.
Several European countries, including Poland, have expressed a willingness to send troops to Ukraine, an idea first proposed by French President Macron. Putin cautioned that such actions would be a significant step towards a global conflict, stating that these troops would inevitably find themselves in the crosshairs of the Russian armed forces.
Additionally, during a meeting in Kaliningrad between Moscow’s envoys and Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an agreement was reached on initiating safety protocols for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The plant, controlled by Russian forces, has been a focal point of contention with frequent accusations from Moscow alleging that Ukrainian forces are bombing the area.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Vladimir Putin's Security Council, also issued a severe warning to Poland amidst the escalating tensions. Responding to remarks from Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Medvedev threatened that Poland would receive its 'share of radioactive ash' should it acquire US nuclear weapons. He argued that any American attack on Russian targets in Ukraine would usher in a third world war, directly condemning the Polish leadership's openness to stationing US nuclear weapons as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement.
- Medvedev referred to a statement by Polish President Andrzej Duda from April 22, where Duda expressed readiness to station nuclear weapons in Poland to strengthen NATO's eastern flank. This stance has been met with mixed reactions within Poland, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government fully supporting Ukraine while being wary of escalating the conflict with Russia.
- In his heated reactions, Medvedev used the phrase 'radioactive ash' multiple times, indicating a recurring theme of Russia's readiness to respond with nuclear measures if provoked. His statements aimed to underscore the global threat posed by further military engagements between NATO allies and Russia, cautioning against any actions that could lead to broader conflict.
