The Russian Foreign Minister has warned the West against allowing Ukraine to launch long-range missiles deep into Russia.
Sergey Lavrov cautioned that strikes into Russia will be like “playing with fire” and the Kremlin will make “adequate decisions” over the “threats posed by the West.”
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky on 11 September and there was detailed discussions over making decisions for long-rang strikes inside Russia.
Russian state media TASS reported a source told SB News Zelensky presented “a detailed plan” how Ukraine could use missiles inside Russia, it has been stated that Blinken allegedly provided him with a list of potential targets.
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Lavrov said, “They are discussing authorizing the AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] to use Western long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. ‘Playing with fire’ in this way may lead to dangerous consequences.
“As stated by President Putin, we will take adequate decisions based on our understanding of the threats posed by the West. It is up to you to make conclusions.”
Lavrov said on 12 September that the West made the decision some time ago to allow Ukraine to fire deep inside the Russian Federation.
Last Tuesday the new NATO secretary general Mark Rutte has told Kyiv they have the right “to strike legitimate” military targets deep inside Russia to prevent further loss of civilian life in Ukraine.
Rutte said that under international law the right defend their country from Russian attacks “does not end at the border.”
This will no doubt be met with a furious response from Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin who have warned over the past few days that such an attack will result in a nuclear escalation.
Rutte said, “Let’s not forget Ukraine is fighting a war of self-defence, and that means that Ukraine has the right to defend itself. And as we know, international law, and according to international law, this right does not end at the border.
“So that means that supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defence means that it is also possible for them to strike legitimate targets on the aggressor territory.
“At the end, it’s up to each Ally to determine its support for Ukraine.”
