NATO members are debating whether to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons and munitions for strikes on Russian soil, a move that has sparked warnings from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin's ally Dmitry Medvedev has cautioned that the conflict could escalate into a wider war, potentially involving the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
NATO members are grappling with the decision of whether to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons and munitions for strikes on Russian soil. The debate has reignited concerns about a potential escalation of the conflict and has prompted warnings from Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's close ally Dmitry Medvedev has declared that Russia is not bluffing about using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia views the use of long-range Western weapons by Ukraine as direct participation in the war by NATO countries, which could lead to a casus belli (an act that provokes a war).
The United States has given Ukraine the go-ahead to use American weaponry to target Russian forces operating just over the border in support of their offensive against the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Germany has also backed the move, but the White House insists that the policy prohibits the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) or long-range strikes inside Russia.
Despite these restrictions, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has affirmed that Ukraine will eventually use Western weaponry to strike Russian territory.
Medvedev's comments reflect growing concerns about the potential for escalation. He has previously warned that NATO military trainers being sent to Ukraine could lead to a wider war in the region.
In January, Medvedev raised the prospect of nuclear war, cautioning NATO allies that a defeat for Russia in Ukraine could provoke a nuclear conflict.
The debate over the use of Western weapons on Russian soil comes amid reports that depleted Ukrainian troops are losing ground in the war. Despite Ukrainian resistance, Russia has made modest progress in the border region of Kharkiv.
The White House maintains that Russia's forward momentum has stalled and it will not capture Kharkiv. However, the relentless barrage of Ukrainian attacks on Russian forces has taken a heavy toll.
Ukrainian officials have appealed to their U.S. and NATO counterparts to assist in training 150,000 new recruits closer to the front lines to facilitate faster deployment.
Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., has expressed concern that deploying military trainers could lead to a wider war.
The ongoing tensions over the potential use of Western weapons on Russian soil underscores the complexity and volatility of the Ukraine conflict. As NATO members weigh the risks and benefits of such action, the threat of escalation looms large, prompting warnings from Moscow and concerns among observers worldwide.
