Russia is not seeking 'new territory'.
(Baonghean.vn) - On October 5th, President Putin declared that the conflict with Ukraine was not the result of a territorial dispute. He further emphasized that there are two reasons for the possible use of nuclear weapons: "When there is an attack against us, when there is a threat to the existence of Russia."
Speaking at the plenary session of the 20th Annual Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, President Putin emphasized that Russia is already the world's largest country and therefore does not seek to acquire new territory. He noted that Russia still has much work to do to develop its Siberian and Far Eastern regions.
President Putin declared: “This is not a territorial conflict and not even about establishing a geopolitical balance in the region... This issue is much broader and more fundamental. We are talking about the principles of a new world order.” The Russian leader emphasized that lasting peace can only be established when “people feel safe and know that their opinions are respected.”
President Putin also asserted that Russia was not the instigator of the conflict in Ukraine, but rather was trying to end it. According to Putin, Russia had to respond to increasing geopolitical pressure. The Russian leader stated that the war, launched by the Kiev government with direct and active support from the West, had been going on for 10 years, and Russia's special military operation in Ukraine was precisely aimed at ending military operations in the region. The Russian head of state emphasized: "And (the special military operation) reminds us that unilateral steps, no matter who takes them, will inevitably provoke a strong reaction. As you know, action will be followed by a reaction," adding that any responsible country, any sovereign, independent, and self-respecting nation, would act in this way.
Regarding the issue of nuclear weapons, according to Putin, unlike the US, the Russian Federation has signed and ratified documents prohibiting nuclear weapons testing. “For example, I have heard calls to start nuclear weapons testing again, to return to testing… The US has signed the corresponding laws, documents, and international treaties prohibiting nuclear weapons testing, and Russia has signed them. Russia has signed and ratified them, while the US has signed but not ratified them,” the Russian President stated.
In addition, President Putin announced that Russia would soon begin mass production and operationalization of the Sarmat strategic missile system. As Putin pointed out, Russia is now "almost complete in the development of modern strategic weapons," a development that was mentioned several years ago. Putin asserted: "The most recent successful test was the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile with a global range."
President Putin also accused the West of relying largely on the "plundering" of colonies around the globe. He noted that, after the end of the Cold War, the collective West, led by the United States, attempted to establish and maintain global hegemony, but such an endeavor was bound to fail from the outset.
He emphasized: "The world is too complex and too diverse to be shaped by a single plan, even if behind it lies the immense power of the West, accumulated over centuries of colonialism." President Putin further asserted that the ongoing global crisis is primarily a consequence of the "self-confidence" displayed by the West and stems from their refusal to consider and even listen to the views of other international actors.
