Putin issues new warning to NATO --Long-range strikes against Russia would mean direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict | 12 Sept 2024 | Removing restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons would directly involve the U.S. and its allies in the conflict with Russia and would be met with an appropriate response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned. The West has sent Ukraine long-range missiles such as Storm Shadows and ATACMS, which Kiev has so far used against Crimea and Donbass. In the past several days, however, the U.S. and UK have suggested they might allow these weapons to be used to strike targets deeper into internationally recognized Russian territory... Ukraine lacks the capability to use Western long-range systems, Putin said, noting that targeting for such strikes requires intelligence from NATO satellites, while firing solutions can "only be entered by NATO military personnel." "If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the U.S. and European countries, in the conflict in Ukraine," the Russian president said. "Their direct participation, of course, significantly changes the very essence, the very nature of the conflict." With that in mind, Putin added, Russia will "make the appropriate decisions based on the threats facing us."