Russia is not looking for 'new lands'
(Baonghean.vn) - President Putin declared on October 5 that the conflict with Ukraine is not the result of a territorial dispute. He also 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 Conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club, President Putin stressed that Russia is already the largest country in the world and therefore does not seek to gain new territories. He noted that Russia still has much to do to develop Siberia and the Far East.
“This is not a territorial conflict and not even about establishing a geopolitical balance in the region... This is a much broader and more fundamental issue. We are talking about the principles of a new world order,” Putin said. The Russian leader stressed that lasting peace can only be established when “people feel safe and know that their opinions are respected.”
President Putin also affirmed that Russia did not start the conflict in Ukraine but instead is trying to end it. According to Putin, Russia must respond to increasing geopolitical pressure. The Russian leader said that the war launched by the Kiev government with direct and active support from the West has been going on for 10 years and that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine is aimed precisely at ending military operations in the region. "And (the special military operation) reminds us that unilateral steps, no matter who takes them, will inevitably cause a backlash. As you know, actions will lead to reactions," he stressed, affirming that any responsible country, any sovereign, independent and self-respecting country would act in this way.
Regarding the issue of nuclear weapons, according to Mr. Putin, unlike the United States, the Russian Federation has signed and ratified documents banning nuclear weapons testing. “For example, I have heard calls to start testing nuclear weapons, to return to testing... The United States has signed the corresponding law, document, international treaty banning nuclear weapons testing and Russia has signed it. Russia has signed and ratified it, while the United States has signed, but not ratified it,” the Russian President stated.
In addition, President Putin announced that Russia will soon begin mass production and commissioning of the Sarmat strategic missile system. As Putin pointed out, Russia has now “almost completed the development of modern strategic weapons,” which was mentioned several years ago. “The most recent successful test was the testing of the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile with global range,” Putin asserted.
President Putin also accused the West of having largely built its prosperity on the “looting” of colonies around the world. President Putin noted that after the end of the Cold War, the collective West led by the United States attempted to establish and maintain its global hegemony, but such an attempt was doomed to failure from the start.
“The world is too complex and too diverse to be shaped by a single plan, even if behind it is power, the enormous power of the West, accumulated over centuries of colonialism,” he stressed. President Putin also affirmed that the ongoing global crisis is mainly a consequence of the “self-confidence” shown by the West and stems from their refusal to consider and even listen to the views of other international actors./.
