In a press conference held at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning on Wednesday, indicating that Russia may provide long-range weapons to other countries to strike Western targets. This statement came as a response to NATO allies reportedly allowing Ukraine to use their arms to attack Russian territory.

President Putin further emphasized Moscow's preparedness to resort to nuclear weapons if they perceive a threat to their sovereignty. He expressed concerns that recent actions by the Western nations would undercut international security and potentially escalate the situation, leading to "very serious problems."

The Russian President's remarks came during a rare interaction with international journalists, a practice that has become increasingly infrequent since Russian troops were deployed to Ukraine. Putin categorically stated that Western nations allowing weapons to be used against Russian forces would be seen as direct involvement in the war against the Russian Federation, thereby reserving Russia's right to respond accordingly.

Recent reports reveal that the United States and Germany have granted permission to Ukraine to strike certain targets on Russian soil using long-range weapons supplied to Kyiv. A Western official and a U.S. senator disclosed that Ukraine has already utilized U.S. weapons to carry out attacks inside Russia, adhering to newly approved guidelines received from President Joe Biden. The usage of American armaments is limited to the defense of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

President Putin asserted that if Western-supplied weapons involve military personnel from those countries controlling the missiles and selecting targets, Moscow could respond with "asymmetrical" actions in other regions across the globe. The U.S. military, however, clarified that it does not exercise control over the missiles provided to Ukraine or designate their targets.

The Russian President raised a significant point, asking why Russia shouldn't possess the right to supply similar types of weapons to regions around the world where they can be used to strike sensitive facilities of countries engaging in similar actions against Russia. He stated that "we will think about it," indicating possible future actions.

When asked about the possibility of utilizing nuclear arms, Putin referenced Russia's security doctrine, underscoring that the conditions for using such weaponry are explicitly outlined. While acknowledging the prevalent belief in the West that Russia would abstain from using nuclear weapons, he pointed to the doctrine's provisions, stating that if actions threaten Russian sovereignty and territorial integrity, they consider it possible to employ all available means of defense.

Putin concluded by highlighting the tremendous power of Russia's battlefield nuclear weapons, surpassing the magnitude of the U.S. atomic bombs deployed during World War II against Japan.

As tensions continue to rise between Russia and the West, the international community closely watches to see how these statements will impact the already fragile security dynamics. The potential escalation of arming other nations with long-range weaponry and the specter of nuclear weapons loom large, generating concerns about the stability of global security in the face of these escalating tensions.