President Vladimir Putin has said that foreign-made tanks are a “priority target” for Moscow’s forces.
Mr Putin, in comments to state television, also reaffirmed his stance that Ukraine joining NATO would threaten Russia’s own security and escalate global tensions further.
“The supply of new weapons will only aggravate the situation… and will further fuel the conflict,” Mr Putin said.
Asked about France’s decision to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles which can travel 155 miles, he said: “Yes, they cause damage, but nothing critical happens in the war zone with their use.”
Mr Putin added that foreign-made tanks were “a priority target for our guys”.
Meanwhile Joe Biden has said that there is no real prospect of Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons against Ukraine or the West.
“Not only the West, but China and the rest of the world have said: don’t go there,” Mr Biden said at a press conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
The US president was commenting on the likelihood of a nuclear strike amid growing instability in Moscow.
