Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened with a “lightning” response against anyone who could intervene “outside” the conflict.
Putin also warned the West not to send military equipment to Ukraine, as these supplies only fuel the conflict.
“If anyone intends to intervene from outside and create strategic threats to Russia that are unacceptable to us, he should know that we will respond quickly with blows,” the Russian head of state said in a video of the address, spread by Russian media.
Putin commented at a time when Western countries – including Germany – are increasing arms supplies to Ukraine. The United States even outlined during a visit to Defense Minister Lloyd Austin in Kyiv a new concept for its desired military “weakening” of Russia, and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called for a new approach by providing more defense equipment from NATO countries.
According to Putin, who spoke to lawmakers in St. Petersburg, the Russian military would not hesitate to use the latest weapons, which, however, can not go into detail:
We have all the tools for this – ones that no one can brag about. And we will not brag. We will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know this: we have made all the necessary decisions.
– Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of the risk of a “third world war” due to the continuing escalation in which the West – as Russia has long claimed – is waging a conflict “with intermediaries” through Ukraine.
Trass also said last night that Britain would “dig deep” in its inventory, and that included heavy weapons, tanks, and planes: although some said otherwise and feared provocation, “I think inaction would be the biggest provocation.” This week, Moscow Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that countries such as Britain, which send weapons or even train the Ukrainian military and incite attacks on Russian territory, could be a legitimate target for Russia’s response.
