Putin says long-range missiles will only prolong Ukraine's 'misery'
(Baonghean.vn) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 18 declared that Washington's provision of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine was a "mistake" and warned that this weapon would not affect the front line but would only prolong Ukraine's "pain".
Ukraine has asked its Western allies for longer-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian-controlled territory, as Kiev's counter-offensive to retake occupied land has been slower than expected. The White House confirmed on October 17 that Washington had supplied Kiev with missiles that, according to US media, have a maximum range of about 160 km.
Asked to comment on the weapons at a press conference after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Mr Putin said: “War is war, and of course… they pose a threat, that goes without saying. But most importantly, the supply of long-range missiles will not change the situation on the ground.”
According to President Putin, the decision to supply missiles was "another mistake of the US, because "it only prolongs the pain".
Mr. Putin emphasized that if Ukraine wants a real negotiation process, it needs to take a number of goodwill actions, first of all, canceling the decree banning negotiations by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
President Putin announced that the Russian Aerospace Forces are starting more regular patrols in neutral airspace over the Black Sea. The MiG-31 aircraft used for patrols are equipped with Kinzhal missiles with a range of more than 1,000 km. According to him, this decision was made in the context of the US being increasingly drawn into the conflict in Ukraine.
Regarding the Hamas-Israel conflict, President Putin said that the attack on the hospital in the Gaza Strip was “a terrible event, hundreds of people were killed, hundreds were injured”. According to the Russian President, perhaps this is a signal that “this conflict needs to end as quickly as possible, or in any case, to reduce tensions to a level where some form of contact and negotiations can begin”.
Mr. Putin also said in phone calls with leaders of five Middle Eastern countries before his visit to China that it seemed “no one wanted to continue developing the conflict or make the situation worse.”
For his part, the Russian leader stated that his country has always supported the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, an idea that Mr. Putin believes is unrelated to the current tension between Palestine and Israel. According to President Putin, an independent Palestinian state would create conditions for establishing a lasting peace in the future./.
