ANDRussian President Vladimir Putin assured today that Russia will deploy troops and heavy weapons on the border with Finland after the entry of that country and Sweden into NATO.
“If we didn't even have troops, we had withdrawn them all from there, from the Russian-Finnish border. Why did they do it? (…) That's what they decided. But we didn't have troops there and now we will have them. There were no offensive systems there and now they will appear”he said during an interview with Russian television Channel One and the official RIA Nóvosti agency.
A meaningless step
Putin called the decision of both Nordic countries a “pointless step” when it comes to guaranteeing their national interests, even though it means they are protected by a nuclear umbrella.
He remembered that relations between Russia and Finlandwhich supported Ukraine since the start of the war more than two years ago, were in the past “ideal”since there was no dispute between them, including territorial.
“And I think they benefited more from being neutral, since it is something that gives them certain advantages, at least as a negotiating platform to reduce tensions in Europe itself,” he said.
Since Finland and Sweden announced their intention to join the AllianceMoscow has warned that it will strengthen its military presence on the northwestern flank.
There were no problems. Now, there will be. We will create the Leningrad military district and concentrate certain military units there
“There were no problems. Now, there will be. We will create the Leningrad (northwest) military district and concentrate certain military units there. Why did they need it? It's just nonsense,” Putin said last December.
Moscow intends to reinforce its northwestern flank, especially the region surrounding the country's second city, Saint Petersburg, which is located just about 300 kilometers from the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
Experts consider that Finnish entry into the Atlantic Alliance is one of Putin's biggest miscalculations when launching his military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022, since Russia and Finland share 1,300 kilometers of border.
Prepared for a nuclear war
In turn, Putin assured that Russia is prepared in case the West decides to unleash a nuclear war, although he considered that this option is unlikely today.
“They develop all their components. So do we. But this does not mean that, from my point of view, they are prepared to unleash a nuclear war tomorrow. But if they want, what to do? We are ready,” he asserted.
Weapons exist to be used (…) We are willing to use any weapon if it involves damage to our sovereignty and independence
Putin insisted that Russia is prepared “from a military-technical point of view” and that said weapons “are permanently in combat readiness.”
“Weapons exist to be used. We have our principles. What do they say?: That we are ready to use weapons, any weapon, including the one you mentioned, if it concerns the existence of the Russian state, harm to our sovereignty and independence,” he said.
The Russian leader stressed that the Russian nuclear triad – intercontinental missiles, atomic submarines and strategic aviation – It is “more modern” than any other on the planet.
“And such triads, in fact, only we and the Americans have. And we have advanced much more. Ours is more modern (…) Everyone knows it,” he said.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, he stressed that there has “never” been a need to employ “means of mass destruction” in response to a question about the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons in the neighboring country.
EFE
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