RT.com
06 Mar 2025, 20:21 GMT+10
Kiev cannot strike targets inside Russia without direct assistance from its Western backers, the foreign minister has said
Ukraine is entirely incapable of launching long-range missile strikes on Russia without direct support from Western nations, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said, citing the recent US decision to pause intelligence sharing with Kiev as proof.
On Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the US had halted intelligence sharing with Kiev, adding that the restrictions could be lifted if Ukraine demonstrated a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia. Washington has also frozen military assistance to Kiev, with both moves following a public spat between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting last week. The talks ended with Trump accusing Zelensky of "disrespect" and reluctance to seek peace with Moscow.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Lavrov highlighted the consequences of the US decision on intel sharing. "Without the direct involvement of the West - namely the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and other countries - Ukraine would not be able to use these technologies and data to launch long-range missiles at our territory. This is a very important acknowledgment," the minister said.
At the same time, Lavrov declined to speculate on how long the freeze would last, stressing that Russia is focused on eliminating the root causes of the conflict, including securing guarantees that NATO "will not continue to absorb Ukraine as a territory that could later be used to create permanent threats against the Russian Federation."
Ukraine has long used advanced Western-made weapons, including US-supplied HIMARS and ATACMS, and British Storm Shadow missiles, to target Russian facilities, including civilian ones. In the fall of 2024, the administration of then-US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use American long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory despite Moscow's warnings that this would escalate the conflict.
READ MORE: Lavrov compares Macron to Hitler and Napoleon
In response to Ukrainian long-range strikes using Western weapons, Russia deployed its newest intermediate-range ballistic missile system, the Oreshnik, to target Ukraine's Yuzhmash military-industrial facility in the city of Dnepr. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the Oreshnik as impossible to intercept, noting its warheads travel at ten times the speed of sound.
Putin has said that Ukraine could launch missile strikes deep into Russia only if it receives reconnaissance data from satellites operated either by the EU or the US.
Get a daily dose of Russia Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Russia Herald.
More InformationHong Kong: Cathay Pacific Airways is preparing for a slowdown in air cargo traffic between China and the United States as new trade...
SHANGHAI, China: Nissan is making a fresh push to regain its footing in China with a US$1.4 billion investment and a pledge to speed...
TOKYO, Japan: Toyota's Hino Motors and Daimler Truck's Mitsubishi Fuso are edging closer to a long-awaited merger of their truck operations,...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States plans to press India for sweeping changes to its e-commerce policies as part of negotiations aimed...
BEIJING, China: China's automobile exports rose sharply in the first quarter of 2024, with 1.54 million vehicles shipped abroad, marking...
BEIJING, China: At Home Plate BBQ in Beijing, the iconic Texan brisket is about to get a new passport. The restaurant, known for its...
Brussels [Belgium], April 28 (ANI): The European Union has decided not to lift sanctions imposed on Chinese officials linked to alleged...
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 28 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday affirmed that he won't...
A staff member shows a multi-language AI real-time translation system with transparent screen at Tianjin branch of iFLYTEK in Tianjin,...
New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, for continuing...
Berlin [Germany], April 28 (ANI): Shafi Burfat, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), addressed the grievances of the...
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 28 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday said...