Staff Reports
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the opportunity of Defender of the Fatherland Day to make a strong statement about his country’s commitment to strengthening its nuclear forces. In his speech, he announced the deployment of Sarmat missile launchers and the production of Kinzhal air-launched missile systems. He also mentioned the Borei-A nuclear-powered submarine Emperor Alexander III becoming operational in the Navy, and that three more cruisers from this project would be delivered in the coming years.
In a video address, Putin said Russia is to strengthen its nuclear potential, with forces set to reach '100%'
Read more: https://t.co/SC3SwTokIa pic.twitter.com/T7wboHjLaI
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 23, 2023
After President Joe Biden spoke about his efforts to protect Ukraine and criticized Russia for initiating the war during his visit to Warsaw, the decision to halt involvement in the New START Treaty with the United States was made. Despite this, Major-General Yevgeny Ilyin, a high-ranking Russian defense official, assured the Russian Parliament’s lower house that the military would continue to comply with the New START Treaty’s regulations on the maximum number of warheads allowed for each country.
NEW: Putin says he plans to strengthen Russia's nuclear forces, as his invasion of Ukraine reaches the one-year mark. https://t.co/2M4VzaFv3M
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 23, 2023
Dmitry Medvedev, the previous Russian President who extended the nuclear agreement with former US President Barack Obama in 2019, has issued a statement on his Telegram account endorsing Russia’s stance of employing nuclear weapons if it perceives a threat. Medvedev expressed that “if the US aims to overpower Russia, then Russia has the prerogative to safeguard itself with any armament, including nuclear weapons.”
The decision to strengthen Russia’s nuclear forces is a clear indication of President Putin’s commitment to protecting his country’s interests. The withdrawal of the New START Treaty is a sign of Russia’s dissatisfaction with President Biden’s remarks in Warsaw and his stance on Ukraine. It is also a reminder that Russia is willing to use its nuclear arsenal as a last resort if it feels threatened.
The conflict involving Russia and the United States is tense and unpredictable. It is important for both countries to continue to communicate and work together in order to ensure peace and stability. The world is watching as both countries navigate this delicate situation and hope that they can come to an agreement that will benefit both nations.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on The Daily Caller
