Russian President Vladimir Putin has indirectly stated that Ukraine's strikes on Russia with Western weapons do not cross the predicted red line of the Russian Federation, which would lead to the use of nuclear weapons, according to a report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Experts rely on statements made by Putin on June 7, 2024. On this day, the leader of the Russian Federation stated that Russia's nuclear doctrine calls for the use of nuclear weapons only in exceptional cases threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. In his opinion, such an exceptional case has not arisen, so Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons.
Thus, Putin's statements from June 7 include significant changes in rhetoric. Previously, the President of the Russian Federation and other Kremlin officials threatened to use Russian nuclear weapons if Western countries allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with weapons provided by the West.
Analysts note that since the start of the full-scale war, the policies and actions of the West and Ukraine have crossed Russia's predicted red lines several times. However, the lack of a significant reaction from Moscow indicates that many of Russia's red lines are likely informational operations aimed at pushing the West towards self-restraint.
The Institute for the Study of War reminded that since June 2024, the Ukrainian army has been striking military targets in the Belgorod region using HIMARS systems provided by the United States with GMLRS.
The Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, believes that Ukraine should be allowed to strike Russia with Western weapons without restrictions on range.
Earlier, it was reported that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had abandoned plans to create a five-year, $100 billion fund for military aid to Ukraine. This decision was due to refusals from members of the North Atlantic Alliance.