Putin’s missile sends a clear message to the West: ‘Back off’The Russian president is in a difficult position, as he could stoke a serious crisis if he escalates now, but the West could keep pushing through clear Russian red lines if he does notBy Guy Faulconbridge / Reuters, MOSCOWRussian President Vladimir Putin’s hypersonic missile carried a simple message to the West over Ukraine: Back off, and if you do not, Russia reserves the right to hit US and British military facilities. “Putin is saying to the West stop — halt — back off,” former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov told Reuters. The source did not clarify whether he was talking about tactical battlefield weapons or long-range nuclear missiles. However, if he does not, then the West could interpret him as weak and keep pushing through clear Russian red lines. Firing what the US believes is a new ballistic missile in response is a clear warning to the West, but a carefully calibrated one, analysts said.

Source: Taipei Times November 25, 2024 16:42 UTC