The message is met with anger: Must know who they are playing with

 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The Kremlin boils over the arms announcement from the West: "Must know who they are playing with"

Emil Forsberg

Published 00.19

Western countries are open to letting Ukraine use their weapons inside Russia.

Something that makes Vladimir Putin go crazy.

- They must know who they are playing with, she says.

Quick version

• Western countries are open to letting Ukraine use their donated weapons to strike inside Russia, something strongly criticized by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Both the Swedish government and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg support Ukraine's defense both inside and outside its territory, including attacks on Russian targets.
• Russia criticizes the statement and warns that the West's actions could lead to serious consequences.
  

The West is swinging over Ukraina's right to use weapons donated to strike inside Russia.

The Swedish government sees no problem with letting Ukraine use weapons against military targets in Russia.

- We have certainly not donated any long-range weapons, but our attitude is that it is international law that applies. Ukraine has the right to defend itself inside and outside its territory. We have not identified any geographical limitations, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson to TT.

Raging towards Stoltenberg

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also thinks it is time to lift the restrictions.

- We have to remember what this is. This is a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. Ukraine has the right to defend itself. And that includes attacking targets on Russian territory, he told The Economist.

            

          

           Vladimir Putin.
           Dmitry Peskov
           1 / 2Photo: Alexander Kazakov / AP

A statement that did not go down well in the Kremlin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is now raging against Stoltenberg:

- NATO is increasing the degree of escalation and flirting with military rhetoric, he tells Izvestia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the Western countries' actions mean an "escalation that could lead to serious consequences".

- In Europe, especially in small countries, they have to be aware of who they are playing with, he says, according to AFP.

"A serious matter"

Putin says Western leaders should remember that it is "a small territory with dense population" many EU countries.

- They should remember that when they talk about striking deep into Russian territory, it is a serious matter.

Ukrainian troops. Photo: Libkos / AP

Recently, France also announced that it is sending military instructors to Ukraine to train soldiers. Something Russia will not take into account, according to Putin.

- We will do what we think is necessary regardless of who is on the territory of Ukraine.

Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: Wiktor Nummelin/TT / TT News Agency