Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said NATO countries, especially the United States and several European countries, “have entered a new phase of heightened tensions and they are doing this deliberately,” in remarks quoted by TASS news agency.
“They are provoking Ukraine in every possible way to continue their senseless war.”
Russian forces have made gains in the Kharkiv region in recent weeks after launching surprise attacks in areas close to the border with Russia.
Britain and France had already signaled they may ease restrictions on Ukraine attacking military facilities on Russian soil before U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday night that U.S.-supplied weapons could be used.
However, a US official told the BBC: “Our policy regarding prohibiting the use of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) or long-range attacks within Russia has not changed.”
German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Friday that Berlin was “jointly convinced” that Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russian aggression.
“For this purpose, North Korea may use weapons supplied for this purpose, including weapons supplied by us in accordance with its international legal obligations,” he said.
