Russia warns NATO of 'direct war' over Ukraine --Moscow's envoy to the UN has reiterated where the Kremlin's red line is | 13 Sept 2024 | Granting Kiev permission to use Western-supplied long-range weapons would constitute direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict by NATO, Russia's envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has said. Moscow will treat any such attack as coming from the U.S. and its allies directly, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, explaining that long-range weapons rely on Western intelligence and targeting solutions, neither of which Ukraine is capable of. NATO countries would "start an open war" with Russia if they allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons, Nebenzia told the UN Security Council on Friday. "If such a decision is made, that means NATO countries are starting an open war against Russia," Moscow's envoy said. "In that case, we will obviously be forced to make certain decisions, with all the attendant consequences for Western aggressors."