MOSCOW
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning about the consequences of potential strikes deep into the country has been clearly understood by its “intended recipients,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, referring clearly to Ukraine and its Western allies.
There should be no doubt because Putin’s message leaves no room for misinterpretation, Peskov said at a press briefing in Moscow.
“The statement Putin made yesterday is crucial. It is crystal clear, unequivocal, and does not allow for any alternative interpretations,” he asserted.
Putin had warned that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons would mean the direct involvement of NATO, the US, and European countries in the conflict, fundamentally altering its nature.
This, he added, would mean that these countries are at war with Russia.
In such a scenario, Putin said, Russia would take appropriate measures based on the new threats it would face.
The president’s remarks came after the UK reportedly agreed to let Ukraine use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for long-range strikes deep into Russian territory.
The Guardian reported on Thursday, citing unnamed UK officials that this significant policy shift was made behind closed doors, though no official public announcement is expected.
When asked about Putin’s suggestion to restrict titanium and nickel exports, the Kremlin spokesman clarified that it has nothing to do with the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine.
“These matters are not connected. The proposal is more related to the broader issue of illegal trade restrictions and the recurring attempts to impose new sanctions on our country,” Peskov explained.
On Sept. 11, the Russian president directed the government to consider the possibility of limiting the supply of some strategic raw materials to foreign markets, such as uranium, titanium or nickel.
