MOSCOW / PRAGUE - Russia's patience regarding a nuclear response to Western actions in Ukraine is wearing thin, warned Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's security council, in a message posted on his Telegram channel on Saturday.
Medvedev said while "a nuclear conflict is in no one's interest," Russia has thus far exercised restraint in utilizing its nuclear capabilities in response to Western involvement, particularly concerning high-precision strikes deep into Russian territory. However, he cautioned that "even the greatest patience has its limits.”
This warning came following recent US discussions regarding the provision of Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine, which could enable strikes deeper into Russian territory.
The Kremlin has also signaled its awareness of the escalating threat, with the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noting that Russia is preparing countermeasures.
'No restrictions'
Meanwhile, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee Chair Rob Bauer said that, from a military perspective, Ukrainians should not be restricted in using delivered weapons.
Speaking after a meeting of the NATO Military Committee in Prague, Bauer said lifting the restrictions on the use of supplied weapons to Ukraine would be logical from a military point of view.
However, he noted that countries providing these weapons to Ukraine have the right to put limits on individual weapons, adding that there is a political discussion on the matter.
According to the Czech News Agency, debates on restrictions on the use of weapons supplied to Ukraine are taking place at various levels. Italy has introduced them, while countries such as the Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands do not set any conditions for the use of weapons.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that by providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, Western countries risk involving directly in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In such circumstances, Russia would be forced to make "appropriate decisions" based on the new threats, Putin was quoted by Russian media as saying.
According to Western media reports, Ukraine has been pleading with its Western allies for it to use their missiles, including long-range ones, to fire deep into Russian territory.
