Kremlin spokesman blames West for ‘provoking’ Ukraine into continuing ‘senseless war’

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that statements from NATO country representatives about using Western weapons to strike targets on Russian territory provoke Ukraine into continuing a “senseless war.”

“Countries that are NATO members, especially the United States, along with other European [governments] in recent days and weeks, are escalating tensions to a new level,” Peskov told journalists.

“They are provoking Ukraine to continue this senseless war in every possible way,” Peskov said. “They themselves are intent on continuing this war against us — a literal and figurative one. All of this, of course, will inevitably have consequences. And ultimately, it will inflict great damage on the interests of those countries that have chosen to escalate tensions.”

Amidst the Russian army’s new offensive in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian authorities have been seeking permission to strike military targets in Russia with Western weapons. Recently, more and more Western politicians have called for allowing Ukraine to do so.

Historically, the U.S. has opposed the use of Western weapons for strikes on Russian territory, fearing that this could lead to a direct conflict with Russia. At the same time, the United Kingdom and France have allowed Ukraine to use their long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that this will lead to an even greater escalation of the conflict.