WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Thursday, Russia launched an “experimental” intermediate-range missile toward Ukraine overnight.
Putin is threatening more aggressive strikes against Ukraine and its allies. He says the U.S. is escalating the war by allowing Ukraine, for the first time, to launch long range missiles into Russia.
The White House and Pentagon said Thursday the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine, despite Putin’s warning. This week Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons.
“This is more of the same irresponsible rhetoric that we’ve heard from Russia,” says White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre. “Russia are the ones escalating this war.”
The Pentagon says the U.S. was notified ahead of the missile launch but refused to answer if Russian missiles could ultimately reach the U.S. Putin claimed the U.S. air defense system was incapable of intercepting one.
“We’re not getting into that,” says Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
On Capitol Hill, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) accused President Joe Biden of “baiting” Putin in his final weeks in office. He called his actions “dangerous.”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on the other hand is criticizing the president for not acting sooner to strengthen Ukraine’s defense options.
“History will record hesitation, indecision and cowardness” said McConnell on the Senate floor Tuesday.
President-elect Donald Trump is promising to usher in peace talks once he takes office next year.
Speaking on a panel with the Atlantic Council Thursday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep Michael McCaul (R-Texas.) cautioned the president-elect not to trust Putin.
“Don’t ever underestimate him. Once KGB always. He wants all the Ukraine that’s rightfully his in his mind,” says McCaul.
