“NATO is the basis of the Cold War past. In this regard, we were told that it has changed, now it has become a political association, but everyone is looking for reasons and possibilities to impose it as a military organization,” Putin assured the Russian media during his visit to Turkmenistan. .
Responding to the many criticisms leveled at him at the Allied summit in Madrid, Putin viewed the unipolar world promoted by the West as an abomination and a danger to the international system, and underlined that the Kremlin was committed to co-operation. UN, G20 and BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
In this sense, he expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the West regarding arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or the stability of energy and food markets.
In a reference to his decision to view Russia as a major threat to Euro-Atlantic security, Putin addressed the United States and its obsession with always looking for external enemies.
In this context, he recalled that Stoltenberg had promised in the Spanish capital that the Allies had been preparing for a conflict with his country since 2014.
“Since 2014 they have been preparing some action against us and this is not a new thing. This precisely explains our decisive action in safeguarding our own interests,” he pointed out.
Putin has also railed against the West’s “exceptionalism” and its refusal to accept the loss of its dominant role in the world.
“Based on regulations and other dubious concepts, hiding behind the facade of the alleged order, they try to control and direct global processes in their own way, encouraging the creation of hermetic blocs and alliances, which make decisions relevant only to one country. The United States”, he summarized.
Referring to allies’ pleas for Putin to withdraw Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, “a democratic and sovereign nation,” the Russian leader opined that “nothing has changed.”
“I have nothing to add. The final objective was declared, the liberation of Donbass, the protection of these people and the creation of conditions guaranteeing the security of Russia. That’s it,” he said.
Referring to the deadlines, Putin considered it “wrong” to address the issue, recalling that they depended on the “intensity” of the fighting, and while the Kremlin “prioritarily” wanted to reduce casualties in the ranks of the Russian military.
“I was the Supreme Commander by nature, but I finished my studies at the General Staff Academy anyway,” he recalled.
Putin felt that the Western powers did not want to protect Ukrainians, but to satisfy their own interests, “to confirm their role in the world, to confirm their leadership, their hegemony and, indeed, their imperial ambitions.”
Therefore, if Moscow does not take the initiative in confronting Western plans to turn Ukraine into a “bridge” and “anti-Russia”, its country will have to face the “sword of Damocles” forever.
Referring to the future accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, the Russian president again warned that the two Scandinavian countries would respond with similar measures when establishing friendly military groups and equipment on their territories.
“Sweden and Finland don’t have the same problems as Ukraine, unfortunately. We don’t have any disputes or territorial issues, nothing to worry about about joining Finland and Sweden in NATO. If that’s what you want, go ahead,” he said.
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”