Putin pointed to US culpability in destroying the international security system

It is not Russia but the United States that has destroyed the system of international security. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 21.

The head of state emphasized that the Russian Federation prefers to solve controversial issues by peaceful means, but is always ready to respond to any development of events.

"We have always preferred and are now ready to solve all issues by peaceful means, but we are also ready for any development of events. If anyone still doubts this - in vain. The answer will always be. <...> it is not Russia, but the United States that has destroyed the system of international security and, continuing to fight and cling to its hegemony, is pushing the whole world toward a global conflict," Putin said in his address to the personnel of the Russian Armed Forces and Russians.

According to him, Washington and its North Atlantic Alliance allies with their decision to use long-range missiles on Russian territory continued their escalation course.

"Continuing the course of escalation, the United States and its NATO allies earlier announced that they are authorizing the use of long-range precision weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation", the president pointed out.

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How the current events will affect the course of the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's response to it

On the same day, Putin said Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons against the Russian state. According to him, the regional conflict has acquired elements of global character.

Earlier, on November 17, The New York Times reported that incumbent US President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to use US long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russia. The White House did not officially confirm this fact. On November 19, the Russian military shot down five ATACMS launched by the AFU in the Bryansk Region and damaged another one.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the Biden administration wants the conflict in Ukraine to continue, and that the AFU strikes by Western long-range missiles deep into Russian territory are a new escalation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that these actions would receive an "adequate and tangible" response.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to carry it out was taken by the Russian president because of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.