EPA
News from the NOS•today, 18:42
Russian President Putin warned at a press conference in the Kazakh capital Astana of a “global catastrophe” in a confrontation between NATO and Russia. He said he hopes those who say “things like that” are “smart enough not to take steps like that.”
He is responding to statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He called Russian nuclear rhetoric “dangerous” and “reckless”. He also said that the Russians could expect “serious consequences” if the country uses nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
Putin also provided an update on “partial” mobilization in Russia. He estimates it will be completed in two weeks. According to the president, there are now 222,000 announced 300,000 people mobilized. A total of 30,000 reservists would already be among the military units and 16,000 of them would also have been deployed at the front. There are no additional mobilization plans, he says.
In recent days, there have been Russian missile attacks on cities all over Ukraine. Putin said earlier this week that missile strikes have targeted Ukrainian military, communications and energy targets.
The missile attacks followed an explosion last Saturday on the Crimean bridge. Russia holds Ukraine responsible for this. “If the attacks continue, we will respond harshly,” she said in a short televised speech shortly after.
No more missile attacks on Ukraine are needed for now, Putin said, as this week’s attacks were successful.
Russian correspondent Iris de Graaf:
“It sounds hopeful, but he really stressed: ‘For the moment.’ And he also said ‘we’ll see what happens.’ So he deliberately leaves room to be able to respond again to what he sees as provocations from Ukraine or the West, such as the explosion on the Krimbrug.
Fits the bill: Putin insists that Russia will only target military targets “when provoked”. And so on occasions like this, such as a summit in Kazakhstan, he wants to reaffirm that image of a “peaceful leader” and Russia “only responds to provocations”, both to the outside world and to its own people “.
