TRANSCRIPT
President Vladimir Putin is warning the West would be directly fighting Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, altering the conflict’s nature and scope.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging Kyiv’s allies for months to permit the use of Western missiles, including long-range U-S ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) and British Storm Shadows, to limit Moscow’s attack capabilities.
In his most hawkish comments yet, President Putin said that such a move would involve NATO military personnel directly in the war, as Kyiv lacks the capability to handle satellite targeting data and missile programming.
"It is not about allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is about making a decision about whether NATO countries are directly involved in the military conflict or not. If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries in the war in Ukraine. This is their direct participation, and this, of course, significantly changes the very essence, the very nature of the conflict. This will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting Russia."
This comes as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with leaders of Baltic nations in Kyiv.
The leaders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are among European leaders urging the West to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian military targets.
Alan Karis is Estonia's President.
"Now I understand the most important at least also for us is to lift these restrictions on weapons what you get from the West. We have been supporting and have been on this position from the very beginning, including myself that it is justified you are allowed to use these weapons to target military infrastructure on Russian grounds. And I hope that our allies especially US and UK will allow to do so."
Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Russia of using strategic bombers to target the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Aya, a civilian grain ship, in the Black Sea near Romania.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the ship, carrying grain to Egypt, was hit by a Russian missile after leaving Ukrainian waters, with no casualties reported.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned it as an attack on food security and navigation.
Ukraine's navy says it was the first strike on a grain ship since Russia's 2022 invasion.
This comes as Mr Zelenskyy met with International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan to discuss enforcing arrest warrants for Russian officials, including President Putin, over alleged crimes against civilians.
In August, Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute, a step towards joining the ICC.
"As I said previously, it's very important for us (ratification of Rome Statute). We are fighting for democracy, for freedom, for our wellness and we want to be closer to all our allies. For us it was very important. And I'm happy that our parliament decided also to participate in this decision."
Mr Khan stresses the importance of applying the law immediately, even during ongoing conflicts, rather than waiting for peace to be established.
"The Americans, Churchill, Stalin, they were discussing Nuremberg—something like Nuremberg—when there's peace. While people are dying, you have started, you have insisted that the law must be relevant to people right now. The law must be felt to protect Ukrainians, but also it should be used against people committing crimes. I think this is of something of historic significance. It's extremely important."
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is warning of a potential health crisis in Ukraine as it faces its third winter of war.
Hans Kluge is the WHO’s regional director for Europe.
He says Russian air strikes have damaged the country's energy and healthcare systems, leaving millions at risk as temperatures fall.
“Ukraine is approaching its third winter amid full scale war, likely its most challenging. Renewed focus on health is more critical than ever. From government, (inaudible), and donors - a renewed focus along the lines of response, recovery and not least, reforms. As of today, the WHO has confirmed close to 2,000 attacks on health in Ukraine, including hospitals, health workers and patients. In just the past six months, target attacks have damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure, frequent summertime power outages already taking a toll with danger signs for the winter.”
This comes as Russia’s Defence Ministry announces that its forces recaptured 10 settlements in the Kursk region from Ukraine.
The ministry shared footage of pontoon crossings and destroyed Ukrainian vehicles, claiming it was filmed in the region, though this could not be independently verified.
Over a month ago, Ukraine launched an incursion into Kursk to draw Russian forces away from Donetsk.
President Zelenskyy acknowledged Russia’s counter-offensive but says Ukrainian troops had anticipated it.
