Today, Vladimir Putin of Russia announced that he will consider a variety of alternatives if NATO fails to fulfill his demand for security assurances to prevent its expansion into Ukraine.
Moscow had submitted security documents earlier in the month requesting that NATO disallow Ukraine’s membership and reverse its military deployments to Central and Eastern Europe.
Putin has asked the West to respond quickly, warning Moscow that it will need to implement ‘adequate military and technical measures’ to counter the West’s aggressive stance ‘on our threshold’.
He stated that “We have no place to retreat” and added that NATO could launch missiles against Ukraine in just four or five seconds to reach Moscow.
They have forced us to cross a line they can’t. They have taken it to the point where we simply must tell them – `Stop!´’
Putin’s announcement is one day after Russian authorities published a video showing large-scale war games in which Russian troops were stationed in five different locations and conducted drills and live firing exercises. Most of these events took place right next to the Ukrainian border.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that he was considering a range of alternatives if NATO fails to fulfill his demands for security assurances to stop its expansion to Ukraine.
Putin’s announcement is one day after Russian officials released a video showing large-scale, ‘war games.’ In it, Russian troops were in five different locations and conducted live-fire drills and military drills. Some of the exercises took place near to Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian Reservists Attend a Military Exercise at a Training Ground Near Kiev, Ukraine 18 December 2021. (issued 19 Dec 2021). In preparation for an invasion
When asked to elaborate on the possible response of Moscow, he replied in remarks broadcast by Russian state TV Sunday, that it could be different and that it would depend on the proposals made to him by military experts.
The U.S. and its allies have refused to offer Russia the kind of guarantee on Ukraine that Putin wants, citing NATO´s principle that membership is open to any qualifying country.
The two sides agreed that they would start security negotiations with Russia in the next month, which will discuss Russia’s concerns. Putin also stated that talks with the U.S.A. will take place at Geneva.
Putin spoke today to say that Russia has submitted demands for constructive answers from the West.
Putin stated that he did not do this to block it… but rather for the goal of reaching a diplomatic solution which would be legally binding.
Russian President reiterated the fact that NATO membership is not for Ukraine and that the West would never be allowed to deploy alliance weapons in Ukraine.
He was concerned that the U.S. could use security talks to push for a militarism near Russia.
He pointed out that Russia had published its security requirements to raise pressure on America and its allies for a security agreement.
He stated that ‘We only have one goal: to reach agreements which would ensure security for Russia’s citizens both now and over the long-term’.
While tensions have been rising over the recent Russian troop buildup in Ukraine, which has raised Western concerns about an invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin submitted its security demand.
In a video conference, Joe Biden from the United States warned Putin earlier in this month that Russia would face “severe consequences” if it attacked Ukraine.
Russia denied any intention to invade and accused Ukraine, at its own expense, of plotting to seize control of territories held by rebels backed by Moscow by force.
The claim was rejected by Ukraine
Putin spoke out on Monday about the risks that a NATO expansion in Ukraine would pose to Russia. This was just one-day after Putin had made similar comments. Christmas Day’s video shows the Russian Army practicing in ‘new forms, methods and modern combined arms combat’ in the Voronezh area, which borders Ukraine.
This video features more than 1,200 troops of air attack and 250 pieces military equipment engaging in drills in fog and snow at the Opuk Range in Crimea. It was annexed in 2014 by Russia. The Rayevsky range is located near Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Region, which is close to the Ukrainian border.
A second announcement by Putin was made to accompany the show of strength. It included a salvo launch of Russia’s Mach-9 capable Zircon rockets. Russia has claimed that these can be used to evade missile defenses.
Moscow has been building up a force of defense forces along its eastern flank since weeks.
In recent days, more than 1000 Russian soldiers participated in firing drills in five areas. Meanwhile, tanks were engaged in mobile defense drills that involved 500 soldiers.
Russia is a leader in the development of advanced weaponry and has conducted a series of successful test flights of its Zircon hypersonic missile cruiser. Pictured: A November test of Russia’s Zircon missile
He stated that Zircon were the latest missiles launched from the ocean at land and sea targets.
“The tests went smoothly, successfully. This was a huge event in Russia and an important step to improve (our) security.
This is the first successful Zircon salvo testing, which was personally announced by Putin.
A survey by Kiev International Institute of Sociology, (KIIS), was conducted in December 2021. It was published on 17/12/2021. 50.2 percent of Ukrainians responded that they would resist a Russian military invasion of their town, village, or city.
A third of the respondents to the poll (33.3%) said that they are ready to fight armed resistance. 21.7 percent stated they are ready to join ‘civil resistance actions.