UPDATE - Russia calls French decision to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles 'erroneous'

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM PESKOV

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia on Tuesday said France's decision to send long-range missiles to Ukraine is "erroneous," and countermeasures will follow to mitigate risks.

"Of course, it remains to be clarified and found out exactly what (effective casualty) radius we are talking about. This, from our point of view, is an erroneous decision, fraught with consequences for the Ukrainian side. Because, naturally, this will force us to take countermeasures," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow.

He added that the West's supply of new weapons to Ukraine "only aggravates its fate."

"These decisions (to supply heavier weapons) cannot, are not able to turn the course of the 'special military operation'. They can only aggravate the fate of the Ukrainian, Kyiv regime," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles on the sidelines of the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Concerning Ukraine's speedy accession to NATO, Peskov said it could be very dangerous for European security.

"This really conceals great dangers, and those who will make this decision have to realize that," he stressed.

The Kremlin spokesman refused to predict the outcome of the NATO summit on Ukraine, noting that different points of view exist at the moment, and which one will prevail will be clear in the coming days.

In response to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda's call for NATO members to establish permanent military bases on Russia's borders, the spokesman said the approach of the bloc's military infrastructure to the Russian Federation is one of the reasons for the current state of conflict in relations with Europe.

"The Russian military infrastructure has never moved towards Western Europe… however there has always been a movement in the opposite direction. If the Europeans do not understand this mistake, then, of course, it is regrettable," he noted.

The official also expects that the NATO summit, which began in Vilnius on Tuesday, will be conducted "hostilely toward" Russia, as its members consider Moscow as their "enemy."

"We are extremely cautious about this... we are monitoring because many statements, of course, should (become) and will be the subject of in-depth analysis in order to take measures aimed at ensuring our own security," he said.

When asked about his thoughts on the summit's location, which is in close proximity to Russia, he said, "It is not so important where exactly it takes place -- whether it is close or far from Russia, the substantive part of this event is important."

"The substantive part on the eve of this summit, in fact, has already begun to demonstrate a strong anti-Russian attitude, which is evident in the speeches and statements of representatives of all member countries of the alliance," he added.

NATO's heads of state and government summit will take place at the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on July 11 and 12.​​​​​​​