BRATISLAVA, November 18. /TASS/. The decision to launch strikes deep into Russia using US weapons from Ukrainian territory represents an "unprecedented escalation" and poses an obstacle to peace talks on Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.

"This is an unprecedented escalation of tensions, a decision that thwarts hopes for the start of any peace talks and an end to the mutual killing of Slavs in Ukraine," Reuters quoted Fico as sating. He also emphased that he disagrees with the course of the US administration. "Those who support US President [Joe] Biden's decision are in favor of the start of World War III," Fico added.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia. Biden’s decision comes just two months before he is set to vacate office, marking "a major change in US policy," the newspaper noted.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov recalled that Moscow’s position on strikes by US missiles deep inside Russian territory was clearly stated by President Vladimir Putin in September. Peskov noted that this decision means a "qualitatively new round" of tensions.