Russian President Vladimir Putin has dropped another bold warning for the West as the war in Ukraine continues to rage on. Putin said that Moscow has no plans to initiate hostilities against any NATO member state, including Poland, the Baltic states, or the Czech Republic, but Russian forces will have no qualms about destroying the F-16s that may be supplied to Ukraine by its NATO allies.
Speaking to Russian air force pilots late Wednesday, Putin said that the US-led military alliance has expanded eastward towards Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, he emphasized that Moscow harbors no intentions of initiating an attack on any NATO member state. But at the same time, he warned that if any of the Western nations provide F-16 fighters to Ukraine, Russian forces will intervene and neutralize them.
This statement holds significance as it comes at a time when there are ongoing discussions among various NATO countries to possibly supply F-16s to Kyiv and offer training to Ukrainian pilots. However, it is important to note that as of now, no deliveries have been made. Putin also said that if the West does supply F-16s, it will not change the situation on the battlefield.
He noted that F-16s can also carry nuclear weapons. “Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located,” Putin said. Putin’s remarks come after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s earlier comments, where he said the aircraft would be delivered to Ukraine in the upcoming months.
Ukraine has been in war with Russia for over two years, and has been actively seeking F-16s for several months. Some of the countries that have pledged to donate F-16s are Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and Belgium.
(With Reuters Inputs)
