The Kremlin has no doubt that the US understood Vladimir Putin’s statement yesterday, according to the Kremlin.
Putin’s address to the Russian people, in which he said that Moscow had used a new missile in Ukraine in response to “Western escalation”, was very comprehensive, understandable and logical, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
“We would prefer Washington to listen to the statements the Russian president made several months ago in St Petersburg,” he added.
He also said there remained “openness” to hold talks with the US.
He summed up what Putin said by firing the new missile and his address: “The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine and subsequently take part in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side.
“The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities. The contours of further retaliatory actions, if our concerns are not taken into account, are also quite clearly outlined.”
Britain is now “directly involved” in the Ukraine war after its Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike targets inside Russia, according to Moscow’s ambassador.
Speaking to Sky News yesterday, Andrei Kelin also warned the West to carefully consider the lower bar Russia has established for using nuclear weapons.
It comes after Western allies green-lit Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia this week after months of requests.
