ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Germany on Wednesday, cautioning against the use of German weapons by Ukraine to strike targets within Russian territory. The Russian leader emphasized that such actions would be a “dangerous step” and could result in severe consequences for all parties involved. Putin also hinted at potential retaliation by Moscow, including providing long-range weaponry to others for striking Western targets in response.
Putin’s strong stance on the matter highlighted the escalating tensions between Russia and Western powers, particularly Germany and the United States. Germany recently joined the U.S. in authorizing Ukraine to use long-range weapons supplied by them to target Russian soil, prompting further concern from Putin about the deteriorating Russian-German relations.
During his first public appearance since his reelection to a fifth term, Putin addressed a range of topics, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the state of Russia-U.S. relations. The Russian leader expressed a willingness to work with any future U.S. president, indicating that he does not expect significant changes in the relationship between the two countries regardless of the election outcome.
Putin’s remarks on the recent developments in the conflict in Ukraine shed light on the deepening crisis in the region. He claimed that Ukraine’s military losses far exceeded those of Russia, citing unverified figures on casualties and prisoners of war from both sides. Despite facing pressing questions from international journalists, Putin remained firm in his defense of Russia’s actions in the conflict, attributing criticism to internal political struggles within other nations.
The annual forum in St. Petersburg served as a platform for Putin to showcase Russia’s achievements and attract potential investors. However, the absence of Western journalists from the questioning session underscored the strained relations between Russia and the West in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine. Putin’s remarks at the event reflected the ongoing challenges in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, Putin’s statements have added a new layer of complexity to the already volatile relationship between Russia and its Western counterparts. The Russian leader’s strong rhetoric and implicit threats of retaliation signal a potential escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about the future of international security and stability in the region.