MOSCOW, July 13 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Western supplies of weapons to Ukraine would change nothing on the battlefield but only further escalate the conflict, adding that foreign-made tanks were a "priority target" for Moscow's forces.
"The supply of new weapons will only aggravate the situation... and will further fuel the conflict," Putin said.
Asked about France's decision to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles which can travel 250 km (155 miles), Putin said: "Yes, they cause damage, but nothing critical happens in the war zone with their use."
Putin added that foreign-made tanks were "a priority target for our guys".
In his first public response to the moves, Putin reiterated Moscow's strong opposition to Ukraine ever joining NATO, saying this would threaten Russia's own strategic interests.
Persons:
Vladimir Putin, Putin, Moscow's, Gareth Jones, Mark Heinrich, Jonathan Oatis
Organizations:
NATO, Ukraine, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
MOSCOW, Ukraine, Russian, Lithuanian, Vilnius, Russia, Moscow