What's happened
Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to Western nations against allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia. This comes as U.S. and U.K. officials discuss easing restrictions on military support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict and territorial claims in the Kursk region.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Putin stated that allowing Ukraine to use longer-range weapons would mean NATO is 'at war' with Russia. This sentiment was echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who indicated that the U.S. is willing to adapt its military support based on battlefield developments. The Moscow Times highlighted that Russia has claimed to have recaptured territory in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had previously advanced. This ongoing back-and-forth illustrates the precarious nature of the conflict and the potential for escalation as both sides reassess their strategies.
How we got here
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated since Moscow's invasion began over two years ago. Ukraine has sought more flexibility in using Western-supplied weapons to target Russian military assets, which has prompted concerns from Russia about NATO's involvement.
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