Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on September 12, saying allowing Ukraine to strike targets deep in Russia using Western supplied missiles will bring Nato into the war in direct confrontation with Russia.

Putin also claimed Nato is already active in the war, supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) with Western intelligence to target Russia forces.

The comments came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s constant pleas for permission to hit Russian targets inside that could push Russia’s offensive capabilities back from the border.

The partners announced a fresh injection of $2.3bn in aid, especially money to rebuild Ukraine’s shattered power sector, but there was no breakthrough on the question of missile use.

"It is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not allowing it," Putin said in remarks carried by Kommersant. "This is about making a decision on whether Nato countries are directly involved in the military conflict or not. If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of Nato countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine."

Last week comments by US officials suggest Washington is close to giving Kyiv the go-ahead, but remains very cautious, afraid of an escalation that could spark a worldwide war. The UK has already granted permission for Ukraine to use the powerful Franco-British Storm Shadow missiles but is waiting for the US permission before releasing the missiles to Kyiv.

Putin emphasised that the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in his view, lack the capability to execute long-range strikes without external support. He suggested that granting permission to Kyiv to use the missiles would not only be passive support of attacks by Nato weapons on Russia but require the active participation by Nato operators and intelligence in the attacks on Russia, which could be classed as an act of war by Russia.

"The very essence of the conflict will change" if Ukraine continues to target deep into Russian territory, Putin added, noting that Russia would respond with "appropriate decisions" depending on the scale of the threats posed.

The Guardian recently reported that the United Kingdom has authorised the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russian targets, while Politico stated that the White House is finalising plans to ease limitations on the deployment of US-provided systems for Ukrainian strikes within Russian borders.

Zelenskiy, speaking at a press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on September 12, confirmed that he had presented a detailed case to US and UK foreign ministers during their visit, calling for the lifting of restrictions on long-range strikes. The two foreign ministers are reportedly returning home to report to their “bosses” before a final decision on the missile use is made.

Putin’s red lines are being continuously crossed as the war continues to slowly escalate. In July Ukraine was inching towards a ceasefire deal, but those efforts collapsed following the Kursk incursion on August 4, when Ukraine invaded Russian territory for the first time since WWII.