evidence: President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia would be "at war" with the United States and its allies if they lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range Western weapons. [...] "This will mean that NATO countries, the U.S. and European countries are at war with Russia," Putin said. "And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us." [...] Putin’s comments were echoed by the speaker of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, in a Telegram post Friday. "NATO became a participant in military operations in Ukraine," Volodin wrote. "They are waging war on our country."