Russian President Vladimir Putin evaluated the latest situation in Ukraine, the country’s security, global and regional issues at the meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Pointing out the importance of improving the combat readiness and capacity of the armed forces, Putin described 2024 as the turning point in achieving the goals of the special military operation in Ukraine. Putin said, “189 settlements were liberated this year. Thanks to the professionalism and courage of our soldiers, the heroic work of defense industry personnel and the nationwide support given to our army and navy, our troops have tight control over strategic goals.”
“THERE ARE CONFLICT RISKS IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD”
Reiterating the government’s determination to ensure the country’s security and achieve strategic goals, Putin accused the United States of fueling the conflicts in Ukraine by sending weapons, funds and military advisors. Russian President Putin stated that the global military-political climate is both challenging and unstable, drawing attention to the ongoing conflicts and increasing tensions in many regions. “Blood continues to be shed in the Middle East and there are significant risks of conflict in many other parts of the world,” Putin said.
“USA IS PUSHING US TO THE RED LINE”
Expressing his concerns about NATO’s increasing presence in the Asia-Pacific region and its preparations to deploy missiles with a range of up to 5,500 kilometers, Putin said that these actions pose significant risks to global stability and lead to a loss of trust and cooperation in international security. Speaking about US policy towards Russia, Putin said, “He scares his people by claiming that we are planning to attack someone under the pretext of the so-called ‘Russian threat’. The tactic is simple, they push us to the red line from which we will not back down, and when we respond, they escalate the fear of a Russian threat.”
“IT WAS RUSSIA’S MOST POWERFUL WEAPON”
Emphasizing that Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy continues in its updated military doctrine, Putin rejected the accusations of the threat of nuclear war. Making a statement regarding the production of Oreshnik missiles developed by Russia, Putin said, “As you know, the medium-range missile system Oreshnik has become Russia’s newest and most powerful weapon. It was used successfully in response to attacks on our country’s territory in November. “The mass production of such systems is expected to start soon to ensure the security of Russia and its allies,” he said. (IHA)