Russia Threatens ‘Harsh’ Response to EU’s Call for Unrestricted Strikes on Russian Territory

The head of Russia’s Duma Defense Committee, Andrei Kartapolov, has issued a stark warning to the European Union, stating that Moscow will respond harshly if it removes restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian territory with European weapons. This follows a call from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for the bloc to allow Ukraine to launch attacks on Russian soil. Kartapolov, in a statement to RIA Novosti, emphasized that the response would be ‘harsh and asymmetric,’ designed to swiftly impact the EU. He acknowledged that Borrell’s stance was expected, but emphasized that the final decision rests with other EU policymakers, not Borrell himself. The EU has yet to reach a consensus on removing restrictions on Ukraine’s use of European weapons for attacks on Russia, and there is also disagreement over the release of €6 billion in military aid.