“If the evidently aggressive line of our Western colleagues continues, we will take adequate military-technical measures and will react harshly to hostile action,” said the head of the Kremlin.
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The Russian president spoke about the aggressiveness of Western countries at a time of growing tensions, when NATO states warn of the concentration of tens of thousands of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border and the threat of possible Russian intervention in this country in the first months of next year. Moscow refuses, saying that it can move its armed forces at will, but at the same time repeatedly criticizes the relocation of Allied forces within the borders of NATO member countries.
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After all, we were almost allies with the West, says Putin
At the same time, Putin expressed embarrassment over NATO’s eastward expansion after the Cold War, despite the former near-allied relationship between Moscow and the West. According to him, NATO’s expansion to the east is a consequence of euphoria and misconceptions after the end of the Cold War.
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Moscow wants to receive legally binding security guarantees from the United States in connection with NATO’s approach to the Russian border. “We need long-term, legally binding guarantees,” Putin said.
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“But you and I know very well that they cannot be trusted, because the United States will easily withdraw from all international treaties that, for one reason or another, become uninteresting to them. Easily! And explain something? Nothing. As was the case with the Missile Defense Treaty, “Putin said, adding that” he is tired of Western manipulation of international law. “
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“We all know very well that Western countries operate thousands of miles from their national territory under various pretexts, including their own security. And when international law and the UN Charter intervene, they declare that everything is outdated, unnecessary. When something suits their interests, they immediately refer to the norms of international law, the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and so on, “Putin said.
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He recalled that the appointment of those responsible for negotiating security guarantees between the Russian Federation and the United States was the idea of US President Joe Biden.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin
Photo: Reuters
