ATACMS deliveries will prolong Ukraine’s agony – Putin

The Russian president stated that such moves are another mistake by the US and will only extend the conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned US deliveries of ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine’s forces when speaking to the press in Beijing on Wednesday. Putin argued that Moscow would still be able to repel such attacks, making it yet another mistake on Washington’s part.

“We, of course, will be able to repel these attacks,” Putin said, suggesting the US missiles will ultimately fail to have a significant impact on the situation on the battlefield.

“What’s most important is that [these deliveries], fundamentally, won’t be able to change the situation on the contact line at all. We can say this for sure,” Putin emphasized.

He also added that the ATACMS delivered will not be able to help Ukraine turn the tide on the battlefield and that “there is nothing good for Ukraine in this sense. It just prolongs the agony.”

Putin’s comments came after the New York Times reported that the US had secretly transferred some 20 ATACMS missiles to Ukraine under the condition that Kiev would not use them against targets on Russian territory.

In his remarks, the Russian leader also admitted that these deliveries would nevertheless cause harm and create additional risks for Russia.