Russia Informs UN Security Council 'Direct War' With NATO Assured If US Approves Long-Range Strikes

Russian leadership has issued a follow-up statement to President Vladimir Putin's Thursday brief video address warning that if the US and UK authorize Ukraine to pursue long-range strikes on Russian soil, then NATO and the Russian Federation will be in an official state of war.

On Friday Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, informed the UN Security council that NATO countries would "start an open war" in allowing Western long-range missiles to target Russia.

"If such a decision is made, that means NATO countries are starting an open war against Russia," Moscow’s envoy introduced. "In that case, we will obviously be forced to make certain decisions, with all the attendant consequences for Western aggressors."

Nebenzia continued, "Our Western colleagues will not be able to dodge responsibility and blame Kiev for everything." And he echoed some key talking points of Putin's from the day prior in explaining to the UN body, per Russian media: