The Kremlin warned Monday against a new escalation and promised an “appropriate” response in the event of long-range missile launches against Russia, after the green light given to Ukraine by the United States, while a new Russian strike left at least ten dead and dozens injured in Odessa.
“The use by kyiv of long-range missiles to attack our territory would mean the direct participation of the United States and its satellites (…), as well as a radical change in the essence and very nature of the conflict” , declared the spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, Maria Zakharova. “Russia’s response in such a case will be appropriate and will be felt.”
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday deemed the United States' decision to authorize Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russia “completely good”, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
“It is a decision which is entirely good, I understand that it was also triggered by a profound change in this conflict which should not be underestimated, which is the commitment of North Korean troops to alongside Russia on what is European soil,” he told journalists.
“The only power that is escalating this conflict today is Russia, by engaging North Korea on its side which is, as we know, a very aggressive power which is engaged in a nuclear program with very long range missiles. So it is truly a break in this war which led to this choice by the Americans,” he insisted.
The G20 member countries said they were in favor of “any constructive initiative” aimed at a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, in their joint declaration from the Rio de Janeiro summit published Monday evening.
“We welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives in favor of a just” and “sustainable” peace in Ukraine, affirm the members of the group of the largest economies on the planet, which includes Russia.
The green light given to kyiv by the United States to use its long-range missiles against Russia “could be a game-changer,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga said on Monday.
“This could be a game changer. The further Ukraine can strike, the shorter the war will be (…) This could have a very positive impact on the battlefield,” he told reporters before a meeting of the Security Council of the UN on the occasion of 1,000 days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Like every day, the editorial staff of 20 Minutes is mobilized to give you all the information on the conflict. War in Ukraine was declared with Russia's invasion of the country on the night of February 23 to 24, 2022 by decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This Tuesday is already the 1000th day of conflict!
