Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that his country would destroy Patriot missiles if Washington delivers them to Kiev, days after Washington announced its agreement to supply these systems to its ally, Kiev.
In an interview on Russian state television, the Russian president said he was “absolutely sure that the Russian army will destroy the Patriot air defense system, which the United States will supply to Ukraine”.
He added: “The basis of the conflict in Ukraine is the policy of Moscow’s geopolitical opponents, which is aimed at disintegrating historical Russia.”
He explained that Russia’s opponents are pursuing a “divide and rule” policy.
He added that his country’s enemies “have tried and continue this approach”, stressing that “Russia’s goal in the military operation in Ukraine is to unite the Russian people”.
Putin underlined that “since 2014, Russia has been trying to resolve the Ukrainian crisis peacefully”, noting that “the other side has taken tough measures, of a military nature”.
In his response to the question of whether Russia is approaching the danger line regarding the situation in Ukraine, he said he did not consider it a “very dangerous” matter.
Putin confirmed Moscow’s willingness to negotiate with all the participants in this process (Ukraine) on “some acceptable solutions”.
A few days ago, Putin said that the Patriot air defense system, which the United States is supplying to Ukraine, is an “outdated” weapon system that Russia can deal with.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on 21 this month that the US would provide an additional $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including the transfer of Patriot air defense systems.
On November 29, Ukraine invited NATO member states to supply it with weapons and equipment.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said at the time that Ukraine’s most urgent need was Patriot air defense missile systems.
Source: Al-Mayadeen
